Veterans waited 8 months to hang the American flag over NJ highway

Three Vietnam War Army veterans waited eight months to get a permit to hang an American flag over a New Jersey highway overpass.

In September 2020, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) issued a ban on all flags and banners on overpasses due to safety and maintenance concerns. The ban resulted in condemnations from veteran groups and legislators.

The ban was overruled by Governor Phil Murphy. As of September 22, the American flags could be once again displayed on overpasses

“The NJTA cannot adequately monitor flags mounted by private citizens to make sure they are safely and securely hung, properly displayed, and respectfully maintained,” said an NJTA spokesman in September 2020.

It was not until June 2021 that the Turnpike Authority announced the new flag permit process.

Since then, only one permit has been issued so far, in October of this year, said a Turnpike Authority spokesman. The three veterans became the first to get a permit to display the flag in a turnpike or parkway overpass.

“A lot of people care about the American flag. That is what it means to us. Being the first is a privilege, but it took a little while,” one of the veterans said. “It’s not a political statement that we’re making. We’re showing people we’re patriotic at heart.”

The new process cuts down on the emails and phone calls that the three men had to go through to display their flag.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has the flag policy and permits applications on their website. The website allows applicants to select the highway and town where they want to display their flag. The permits are valid for two years and the applications can be renewed after that. Only American flags are allowed.

The flag policy requires those who apply for the permit to be responsible for the display and maintenance.