Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday,
September 30, 2012
photos/EverythingWestport.com
Quick Article Index . . .
Flag retirement ceremony to be held this Saturday at
1 p.m.
Westport Fire Department is awarded SAFER grant from FEMA
and DHS.
3•4•5 A Multi-media Art Show at the Vineyard.
WRWA allocates resources to
pinpoint West Branch pollution.
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Flag
retirement ceremony to be held this Saturday at 1 p.m. EverythingWestport.com Thursday,
September 27, 2012
Westport veterans and all visitors are encouraged to attend. Lino Rego,
Commander of the Westport American Legion, said “It’s a very symbolic and solemn ceremony.” The
Post plans to burn just two flags. “We won’t do it for all the flags on
Saturday as we have too many, but the symbolism reminds us of the service and
sacrifice, and the respect befitting our nation’s flag.” “When the United States flag becomes
worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag,
and the old flag should be "retired" with all the dignity and
respect befitting our nation's flag. The traditional method of retirement is
to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one simply drops the
entire flag (intact) into a fire. We are not burning a flag; we are retiring
a symbol of America's honor, courage, and strength,” Rego
said. The two flags the Post plans to retire will be handed off to members of the Westport Fire Department, who will place them in a pit, where they will be burned. The ceremony is expected to take about one to two hours. Speaking at the occasion will be retired Lieutenant Colonel Noelle Briand, a 1986 graduate of Westport High School in 1986, a veteran of the Gulf War, and is now a Westport resident. The last Westport flag retirement ceremony was conducted at the VFW on State Road on Memorial Day, 2009. The flags to be disposed of Saturday represent a collection over the last year. To ceremonially retire all the flags would take all day. Mr. Rego said people who wish to dispose their worn-out flags can leave them with the American Legion Post, where they have a disposal container on the front deck. Flag
Retirement Ceremony A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut
into pieces. A flag should never be torn up like an old bed sheet. It should
be cut up with scissors or shears in a methodical manner. The
U.S. flag is more than just some brightly colored cloth... it is a symbol of
our nation. Seven red stripes and six white strips; together they
represent the original 13 colonies that gained us liberty. The red stripes
remind us of the lifeblood of brave men and women who were ready to die for
this, their country. The white stripes remind us of purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, word and deed. The blue is for truth and justice, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens. The stars represent the fifty sovereign states of our union. The American Creed states, "It is my duty to my country to love it, to respect its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies." “The U.S. flag should be treated with respect when it's flying, and should be treated with respect when it's being retired.” Ouellette said. “Therefore, we retire flags with dignity and respect when they become worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled. A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. We separate the 13 strips that represent the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars to pay homage to the 50 states that together make up this great nation.” First Stripe -
"The thirteen stripes stand for the thirteen original colonies" The blue field is indicative of God's heaven under which we fly. The stars, clustered together, unify 50 States as one for God and Country. Once the blue field of stars is placed into the fire, the ceremony is concluded.
Westport Fire Department is awarded
SAFER grant from FEMA and DHS. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, September 29, 2012 Westport, MA - September 28, 2012 - Westport Fire Chief Brian Legendre is
pleased to announce that the Westport Fire Department has received
notification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that the Westport Fire Department has
been awarded $244,483 under the 2012 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) grant. The purpose of this SAFER grant is to provide funding
for rehiring of laid-off firefighters and positions lost through attrition. The goal of the
SAFER program is to assist local fire departments with staffing and
deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies, assuring
communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
Ultimately, SAFER grantees should achieve more efficient responses and a
safer incident scene. The Westport Fire
Department will use the funds received to rehire the firefighter laid off on
September 2, and replace a position lost by attrition in 2010. The SAFER
grant fully funds these 2 positions for 24 months with no cost share to the
town. The return of these 2 firefighter positions will return to department
to full staffing for the first time in 2 years. With the award of this grant the Westport Fire Department has received
over 1.2 Million dollars in federal funds over the past 10 years.
Fire Chief Brian Legendre (far left) and Deputy
Chief Allen Manley inform Selectmen at their September 4th weekly meeting
about the SAFER grant received from FEMA and DHS. 3•4•5 A Multi-media Art Show at the Vineyard. Sunday,
September 30, 2012
The show runs October 2nd through the 31st and features new work by
local artists Michele Bailey, Donna English, and Stacey Frates. A variety of works in oil, watercolor,
pastel, collage, and photography celebrate the local landscape, vibrant
flowers, cool cats and more. Bright
abstract works emphasizing color, texture and pattern are included as well. Meet the artists at the opening reception Friday, October 5th, from 5
to 8 p.m. The artists will also be at
the gallery on Saturday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. through October. Stop by and see them demonstrating their
painting techniques, and talk about art, inspiration, and more! For hours and directions, call or click the Russell Gallery at www.westportrivers.com
or 508.636.3423. Click here to take a virtual tour.
WRWA allocates
resources to pinpoint West Branch pollution. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, September 30, 2012 The Board of Directors of the Westport River Watershed Alliance voted
Thursday, September 27th to make a significant investment in determining the
problems that have closed shellfish beds in the upper half of the West Branch
of the Westport River since 2009. The Board voted to enter into a contract with the Horsley Witten
Group, recognized experts in the field of stormwater
runoff.
Horsley Witten will prepare a computer modeling analysis of land uses
and pathogen or bacteria sources in the area. The analysis will rely on the
EPA’s Protocol for Developing Pathogen total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Executive Director, Matt Patrick (pictured left at a recent ROMEOs
luncheon), said, “We have been doing this piecemeal for a couple of years
now. Finding one source of the bacteria will not be enough to open up the
entire area closed to shellfishing. It’s time to
look at all potential sources of pollution. When we have the complete
diagnosis, we will be able to engage the community to create a plan to
comprehensively solve this chronic problem.” Westport Shellfish Constable Gary Sherman said the West Branch beds
have been closed since 2009.
Above: West Branch of the Westport River as seen from
the Adamsville landing. - - - - - End - - - - - © 2012 Community Events
of Westport All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
Flag retirement ceremony to be held this Saturday at 1 p.m. The
Westport American Legion will conduct a ceremonial “retirement of colors” at
the James Morris Post 145 at 489 Sanford Road.
