Mar 6, 2008 10:34 am US/Eastern
Troop Tribute Signs To Come Down In Massachusetts
METHUEN (WBZ) ―
A governor's task force is recommending that personalized displays that welcome troops home be replaced with metal signs on highway overpasses.
The task force wants to replace the displays with generic signs that read "Welcome Home," and "Thank You" and are adorned with the seals of the military branches.
The homemade displays, which often include signs and flags, were banned and taken down last year by the Massachusetts Highway Department.
Officials said the displays were a possible hazard to motorists. They were worried the displays might come undone and fall onto the traffic below, possibly causing an accident.
After a public outcry, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick stepped in, and told the state's Director of Veteran's Services and the Highway Commissioner to come up with a new plan.
In the meantime, the displays were being allowed to remain up until the task force could figure out a way to safely and appropriately recognize troops along highways and other state-owned property.
Veterans and family members of troops say the new metal signs proposed by the task force aren't personal and don't allow people to give returning soldiers a real hometown welcome.
State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell of Methuen says the state is trying to fix something that's not broken.
A MassHighway spokesman declined comment, saying the plan isn't complete.
This isn't the first time that the state has decided to remove the displays, and then changed their mind.
In October of 2006, Mass Highway announced a similar ban. However, in the face of mounting public criticism they relented and said, "Displays safely on the inside of overpass fencing would not be touched."
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