Planning is already under way in Edgecomb to avoid a 2014 repeat of a local Memorial Day flag controversy.

American Legion Post 54 of Wiscasset is offering its help to the town across the Sheepscot River. Two members of the post attended a June 17 meeting of Edgecomb's new flag committee.

“Anything that we can do to help, feel free to ask,” post member Wally Pitcher of Wiscasset told the panel. “We'll do whatever we can.”

“We really appreciate it,” Selectmen's Chairman Jack Sarmanian told Pitcher and Post 54 Adjutant Dennis Hill of Edgecomb.

The committee formed after Edgecomb Fire Chief Roy Potter complained publicly about finding tattered, faded flags on veterans' graves at Highland Cemetery, Memorial Day morning. He picked up new flags at town hall and took them to the cemetery, to replace the worn ones.

Pitcher had also seen the worn flags when he visited the cemetery prior to Memorial Day. “It was disgraceful,” he said.

Committee members discussed possibly taking flags down before winter, as some other towns do.

Selectmen are in charge of taking new flags to the cemeteries each year. Selectman Stuart Smith had planned to take new ones to Highland Cemetery with his son, but when the two arrived at town hall around mid-morning Memorial Day to pick them up, they were already gone.

At the flag committee meeting, Potter reiterated that he doesn't want visitors to any of the cemeteries to have to see flags in poor condition on Memorial Day again.

Selectman Jessica Chubbuck agreed. She distributes her portion of the flags at least three or four days before Memorial Day, because some people visit their loved ones' graves before the holiday, she said.

“I'll make sure everyone does their job next year,” Chubbuck told attendees.

The committee set its next meeting for 5 p.m., August 26 at town hall.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.