This is in response to the letter (July 12) from Bernard L. Gray Jr., quartermaster of Post 3335, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jay. With all due respect, he is confusing two separate and different state statutes.

Title 13 MRSA, Article 2: Duties of Town or Country, Section 1101. Maintenance and repairs; municipality. In summary, this section requires municipalities “to keep in good condition and repair all graves, headstones, etc., and shall keep the grass suitably cut and trimmed on those graves (veterans’) from May 1 to Sept. 30 of each year.” All veterans’ graves at St. Peter’s Cemetery are properly maintained year-round by the staff.

There is no mention of flags in that section.

Title 30-A: Municipalities and Counties, Section 2901. Decorations of veterans’ graves on Memorial Day. In summary, this law requires that each municipality “annually shall decorate on the day Memorial Day is observed the graves of veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America with an American flag and appropriate flag holder.”

There is no mention of a time period.

Gray may or may not be aware that even at our state veterans’ cemeteries, individual flags or flag holders will not be placed on any grave. I do imagine that individual flags are allowed for Memorial Day.

As pertains to the proper disposal of flags after their useful life, we bring all such flags to the American Legion Post 153 in Auburn for burning.

Gerard J.B. Raymond, executive director

St. Peter’s Cemetery, Lewiston