Howard and Honan Team Up To Line Veterans Rd. With Flags

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

Sheryl Howard has a vision and with the help of her friend Richard Honan she intends to make it happen with the help of many.

Howard just thought it would be nice to start hanging American flags. First she’d like to start with the obvious – Veteran’s Road.

“Memorial Day weekend I thought about it. It was kind of ugly,” Howard said. “After a long time it’s starting to shine.”

After putting a post on Facebook, Howard got a good response and suggestions for other roads to fly flags on. She also has the support of the Department of Public Works, who will hang the flags.

Howard, who works at Highland Real Estate, has worked on other projects in town, including to help raise funds for plants at the high school.

“It’s our vision to line Veterans Road with American flags annually,” Howard said.

Honan, a Vietnam veteran, is known for passing out 3,000-4,000 small flags at parades and for his care packages for enlisted residents. But the flags for this project will be full-size 3×5 flags.

“I’d like to involve the rest of the community,” Howard said.

She’s hoping to raise small donations of $5 and $10. The amount raised will determine the number of flags to be flown. The flags will be flown from May to November every year. There are 34 poles that run from Shirley Street to Pleasant Street.

“We need to raise between $3,000 and $4,000 to start,” Howard said.

Donations can be sent via check and payable to: American Legion Post 146, P.O. Box 53 Winthrop, MA 02152