Advance notice that a letter from former Mayor Fred Rast stating his concerns and offense a gay pride flag is flying beneath the borough’s American flag at Borough Hall bothered him as a lifelong resident and a veteran brought out the largest crowd in recent months to last night’s meeting of the Mayor and Council.
While dozens attended the meeting, more than half left when the discussion of the flag issue ended, with few staying to hear the concerns of other residents over parking, cannabis, safety at the launch ramp at the Yacht Harbor or honoring local veterans with more recognition.
Rast , who identifies as a lifelong resident and veteran, had submitted the letter to the Borough in advance of the meeting, and was told he could read the letter at the meeting.
The letter cited Rast’s “Formal notification” he was offended the gay pride flag at the last meeting had been unanimously approved to fly beneath the American flag on the borough hall exterior flagpole for the month of June. Rast cited flag etiquette regulations that ban the flags of other nations or advertisements to be flown on the same pole, and allowed that POW and KIA flags honoring those prisoners or war or killed in action are approved. Anything else takes away from military who have fought to protect that flag, he said.
Rast also made it clear he has no objection to the seven other Gay Pride flags also flying throughout July on light poles in front of borough hall, does not discriminate against anyone for any belief, culture creed or orientation, but believes the nation’s standard should not have another flag of another interest than patriotism flown beneath it.
In a move designed to ensure everyone is aware of the history of the flags being flown for June, Borough Administrator Robert Ferragina gave a brief synopsis of council’s unanimous actions approving the flags at the request of Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner, tracing the history from Hohenleitner’s first request, the resolutions approving it both last year for flags in front of the building and this year for them in addition to the one on the flag pole with the American flag. He also clarified that the first request was for painting walkways in rainbow colors, an idea denied since it was not authorized by the DOD , insurance carriers or Monmouth County, which owns First Avenue. Ferragina also said since the flags have been flown, there have been no “official complaints” to his office other than from Rast. Ferrugina said the flag was not being displayed in Veterans Park because the park is dedicated to veterans who lost their lives and are listed on the stone beneath that flag in the park across from Borough Hall.
Several residents, who identified themselves as gay or transgender, praised the governing body for their unanimous approval of the flag’s display, as well as the fact they believed the display gave residents and visitors alike the borough is truly open to all people without discrimination. Some praised the council on behalf of their children or other young people who are gay or transgender and have suffered from lack of inclusion because of heir differences. One person suggested installing another flagpole on the borough’s front lawn to accommodate the Gay Pride flag and not offend Rast, another reminded council of her previous request, expressed many times in the past, that honor be paid to the local men who lost their lives and are cited on the memorial in Veterans Park through a better and more comprehensive display of their photos or biographies.
Rast responded to some statements saying anyone who know him or his background knows he has never discriminated against anyone for any reason. He noted he had not identified himself as a former mayor, “just as a veteran..” but in ending municipal meetings he frequently noted how friendly and welcoming Atlantic Highlands is, and “no one ever need walk down any street in town unless he’s there to do damage.” The former elected official, also a former police officer and Monmouth County investigator has volunteered in municipal government committees for decades, serving three terms on the governing body and eight years as Mayor. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Army and retired after 41 years of active and reserve service.
The letter from Rast that brought so many to the meeting follows:
I want this letter to be a formal notification to the Mayor and Council that as a lifelong resident and military veteran I am extremely offended the presence of the gay pride flag being on the same official municipal flagpole in front of borough hall.
The etiquette for the presentment of the American flag on official buildings within the United States has for many years that the US flag is flown on the flagpole in the top position, the flag itself it to remain the largest in size of any additional flags on the flag pole. Beneath the flag which is authorized for years is the POW flag and the KIA flag. The significance of the flagpole on official government buildings is to show the world our support of our country and to show respect and support for those veterans who either were missing in action or were identified as killed in action defending our nation.
The gay pride flag which is present on our town’s flagpole in front of borough hall signifies to all concerned a political stance that is not directly related to beliefs of some people. The presence of this flag on the same flagpole is entirely offensive to me, as a lifelong resident and military veteran.
There are pride flags on separate light poles in front of borough hall depicting gay pride which are present during the month of June, which have been authorized by council. I have no problem with this, except for the added symbols from the original rainbow flag.
Traditionally there should t no other flag flown on the same government flagpole and I might point tout that in Veteran’s Park the pride flag does not exist on that flagpole, and should not. The argument that I have with this flag being flown on the same government flagpole in front of Borough Hall is any any organization, with any type of agenda, should then in fact in the future be allowed to be added to the flagpole in front of borough hall. How can one say that the gay pride flag is any more important than perhaps a Christian religious flag, Jewish religious flag, a Black Lives Matter or Blue Lives Matter flag.
What I find also very offensive as an example, when Peter Donoghue our former mayor and veteran died, I requested that the flag in front of borough hall be placed at half staff in honor of his being a former mayor. I was told that it could not be done because it was not authorized. I also find as a lifelong resident of Atlantic Highlands that there seems to be a tendency by a lot of people in town to try to show through symbolism, that they are good people, not by their participation in our town. I see signs on people’s lawns that show that they have taken the pledge to be friendly with and work with people of color. Good honest people don’t have to show others through superficial symbols that they are allegedly good. Truly good people are people who go through their life supporting everyone in every manner possible, regardless of their religious preferences , sexual preferences or skin color. What I have seen over and over again is that the people who want to display phony signs, for the most part, have never felt fairly and honestly with people who are different from them.
I know that some of would disagree with my comments about the pride flag at Borough Hall will cite, what I consider a disgraceful policy by the current administration in Washinton, to authorize or instruct embassies throughout the world to fly under the American flags the pride flag. Clearly this has been done for nothing other than political purposes by phony people. However, you’ll notice that they did not openly instruct municipalities to fly the pride flag under the American flag.
Those who truly know me personally know that I have always stood for and demanded that people are treated fairly and supported regardless of their personal preferences or skin color.
