Flag program salutes 15 years of patriotism

By Melissa Fili
MethuenLife Writer

While enjoying the red-, white-and-blue atmosphere of Methuen’s Veterans Day Parade this month, be sure to feast your eyes on the sea of American flags standing at attention along the route.
The more than 140 flags decorating Methuen’s downtown streets from Memorial Day through summer’s end, and again for Veterans Day, are made possible by 15 years of financial generosity from residents and businesses. The Eugene Voiland American Flag Program celebrated its anniversary last month during a Thank You Night at the Methuen VFW.
“The plan was to keep it personal,” explained Rachel Voiland, who has been overseeing the project since Gene’s death in 1997. “People bought the flag, pole and bracket, and could dedicate it to someone — most are for veterans. Then they’d never have to buy a flag again.”
“Gene was passionate about his service, his country and the flag,” said Rick Dewhirst, the former Board of Trade president who worked with Voiland to start the program. “We were fortunate to have an energetic board of directors and officers who wanted to be doing things in the community. It was amazing how many people jumped on board to buy $50 flags. They had no problem selling.”
A team of men went pole to pole stenciling numbers and letters on each, indicating which donor had purchased that flag. Since then, the stencils have faded and many original poles have been replaced, but a core group of locals keeps the program alive via an annual Veterans Day raffle which pays for replacement flags. It currently takes volunteers and Department of Public Works employees an entire day to get all the flags in place, so the program has reached its max number-wise.
“These are not decorations,” Voiland says of the flags that line Broadway, the Five Corners, Charles, Hampshire and Pelham streets. “They are memorials to veterans and others who the donors wanted to honor.”
One of those honorees is Army veteran Dick Beeley whose daughters Joyce and Dorothy purchased a flag in his name as a Father’s Day gift 15 years ago.
“They surprised me and took me for a ride up by Nevins Library and said, ‘That flag is for you,’ “ he proudly explained.
An Honor Roll, built by Gene Voiland, hangs in City Hall and features bronze plaques naming Flag Program participants. Rachel continues to add the names of new contributors.
While today’s flag committee is a combined effort of the Board of Trade, the Methuen VFW and the American Legion, many agree it’s Rachel Voiland who truly leads the way.
“If it wasn’t for her, these flags would not go up,” explained Board of Trade President Nancy Carace, who has seen Rachel in action, directing men in bucket trucks as to a flag’s straightness. “We’ll never forget Gene because of Rachel.”
Citations from both the state Senate and House were presented to Rachel for her devotion to the project.
Program participants were treated to refreshments and raffles — 15 items representing 15 years of the Flag Program.
To make a contribution or take part in the Nov. 11 raffle benefiting the program, contact Rachel Voiland at (978) 683-8138.