By Carol Britton Meyer

At the request of the War Memorial Commission, the select board this week approved a new policy that prohibits anything other than official and military-related flags – such as holiday decorations like Christmas trees or menorahs – from being displayed at Monument Square.

Member Jerry McLaughlin explained that at its December 3 meeting, the commission voted unanimously to approve a new policy prohibiting “any and all displays, signs, banners, and flags on the grounds of the war memorial.”

Exceptions will be made for displaying the United States national colors and Massachusetts state, Town of Hull, POW, military service, and veterans organizations flags.

According to a statement read by McLaughlin, based on recent flag-related court cases – including Shurtleff v. City of Boston – the commission felt compelled to establish a policy to prevent individuals, groups, or organizations “that may not reflect or represent the mission or standards of the commission in memorializing men and women from Hull who served their country in time of war and armed conflict from putting up displays, signs, banners, or flags at the memorial.”

The members of the commission “hold these grounds in great solemn respect, and the names etched on the memorial represent those who will forever be honored for their service by a grateful community,” McLaughlin read.

McLaughlin, a 35-year resident of Hull, noted that the above-mentioned court case and others prompted the commission to create this policy.

“Every year there have been a Christmas tree and menorah at the memorial, which have been well-received by the community and the public in general,” he said.

‘We do not take this issue lightly’

The commission had a long discussion – “we do not take this [issue] lightly – but [according to court cases viewed by commission members], if we allow any organization or individual to put a display there, regardless of how noble it is or how much it benefits the community, we would then have to also allow other individuals and organizations to use this hallowed ground for displays that might not be beneficial or according to community standards.”

McLaughlin further explained that the commission created the policy to avoid getting into a situation where the town would be forced to allow such displays if others deemed appropriate were allowed earlier and to avoid any potential costly litigation.

“What we’re trying to do is to maintain our hallowed ground for all Hull veterans who died fighting for our country,” McLaughlin said. “For many years the [Christmas tree and menorah] were well-received – we had no issue with them – but because of these court cases [we came up with this policy]. I wish there was a way to get around this, but our responsibility is to that monument in honoring our veterans. It’s sacred ground, and we hope members of the community who have mourned for veterans who lost their lives or died as a result of injuries who have supported us [will understand].”

Select board member Brian McCarthy said “no more trees or menorahs is a tough pill to swallow,” but in light of the lawsuits in other communities that were mentioned, he -- as did the entire select board – voted in favor of the policy.

“This is the world we live in, unfortunately,” he said.

Board member Greg Grey echoed McCarthy’s remarks.

“Preserving that hallowed ground is number one and takes priority,” he said.

Chair Irwin Nesoff agreed, noting that the policy also “protects the town from possible legal action.”

The name “says it all – [it’s a] war memorial,” select board member Jerry Taverna said.

He also wondered if policies are in place on other town property “where this could be a concern. This might be something to think about,” he said.

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