With Flag Day only a week away and Fourth of July just around the corner, residents in Lansford may be surprised to see the absence of Old Glory along the traditional length of Ridge Street.

Last week, members of the AMVETS Post 83 in Lansford made the tough decision to take down all the American flags from the Ridge Street parking meters. Members stress they are unable to keep the flags up until they receive desperately needed donations and support from the community to purchase new flags.This decision was made following a recent news broadcast that aired on Blue Ridge TV 13, last week showing residents' reactions to a few torn and faded flags.Many members of the post say the heavy storm caused the damage to the flags.The news broadcast showed a heavily torn flag, located in the 100 block of East Ridge Street, waving in the wind, as well as two other tattered flags.Sherri Ahner, who works at an East Ridge Street business where the heavily torn flag was positioned, stated, "The flag wasn't tattered or torn before yesterday's storm." After noticing the ripped flag, Ahner said she called Lansford Police to report it."Did somebody intentionally rip it or was it caused by yesterday's storm?" she asked.Another Ridge Street resident, Leroy Staut, who also lives near the torn flag, said, "The storm must have ripped the flag. We saw AMVETS members put up the flags and were fine before the storm. I have respect for the AMVETS and know they have never put out a torn or ripped flag. And when they take them down, AMVETS volunteers even make sure the flags don't touch the ground."Staut added, "Of the 13 years I've lived here, I've never seen a torn or ripped flag."Steve Banditelli, first vice commander and Home Association president, Lansford AMVETS, said the flags are replaced every other year or when they become unserviceable."After pulling in and inspecting all 79 flags," Banditelli said, "we found five flags to be unserviceable, one of which was heavily ripped."During the news broadcast, a few area residents made negative remarks regarding the condition and care of the flags. Some of the comments given to the reporter during the broadcast were from Daniel Dickman of Lansford and Robert "Ski" Siesputowski of Summit Hill.Dickman said, "I think it is a disgrace for the men and women who served in our military and who are still continuing to fight for our freedom. I feel it is a disgrace to them and to our nation. I understand weather played a part in it. But the thing that is upsetting is they see the flag. Why would they put something like that up?"After watching a recording of the broadcast, Banditelli rebutted Dickman's comment."We (AMVETS) have never put out a ripped, torn or unserviceable flag," Dickman said. "Plus, it is veterans and their families that are volunteering their time to maintain and put out all these flags. We do this as a favor to the community."Post member Edward Evans III, an Afghanistan war veteran who served with the Hometown National Guard, stated, "I help inspect the flags with other members and volunteers and have never put out a torn or battered flag."In addition to other comments, Siesputowski, a past Lansford AMVETS Commander, warned during the broadcast, "By July 4th, those flags better be new."AMVETS members pointed out that Siesputowski should not have been interviewed during the broadcast due to his current probation status with the AMVETS post. According to documents from the office of the executive director, AMVETS Pennsylvania Headquarters in Annville, Siesputowski's AMVETS membership was suspended for one year and he was given a five-year probation starting in January of 2010.During the suspension, Siesputowski was required to return any AMVETS property and not allowed to trespass on any AMVETS property. The document doesn't state the reasons for his suspension and probation.Speaking about the news broadcast, Banditelli asked, "Who called the media? If they saw an unserviceable flag, why didn't they contact us right away or take it down themselves?"The flags were put up in good condition. We were totally unaware of any ripped or tattered flag until we saw the news broadcast," said Banditelli.Perry Shelton, post commander and Home Association vice president, said, "Before, during and after the flags are put out, we carefully inspect each flag for unserviceable features."He added the U.S. flag code states: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.""We, like all veteran and nonprofit organizations, struggle and work hard for donations," said Banditelli. "In the last two years, our post had distributed flyers to hundreds of Lansford homes and businesses requesting donations for new flags. Sadly, only a few replied.""We don't have enough serviceable flags for all the parking meters, and don't want to cause public conflict by picking and choosing which meters to place them on," Banditelli asked."We are no longer able to place flags on parking meters on Ridge Street until we get support from the community to purchase better quality and longer lasting flags," Shelton said.Donations can be mailed to the Lansford AMVETS, 201 West Ridge St., Lansford PA 18232 or by calling (570) 645-2840 for more information.