The Monument |
The 12'x18' flag flies atop a permenant 60' flagpole in a highly visible area next to Interstate 24. A WKMS news report about the opening of the monument states:
"A flagpole flying the Confederate battle flag off Interstate 24 near exit 16 will be the centerpiece of a new park honoring Confederate soldiers. The Sons of Confederate Veterans are funding construction of benches and a circle of bricks to represent southern soldiers who fought to secede from the United States in the 1860s. SCV Kentucky Division Commander John Suttles tells The Paducah Sun the land for the park was donated by a man who had Confederate ancestors. McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry says he's worried about what visitors to Paducah and the county will think upon seeing the flag. Newberry concedes that as long as the flagpole is on private property and if is installed according to code, it is considered First Amendment-protected free speech protected." Randy Beeler, commander of the Lloyd Tilghman camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, says it is the only Confederate flag sponsored by the group in the state. Sons of Confederate Veterans national executive director Ben Sewell said the idea is to put them in high-visibility spots. |
The Flag |
The flag displayed at the memorial is a 12'x18' replica of the flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, commonly known as "the Confederate flag," "the Confederate battle flag," or "the rebel flag." You can learn more about it's history, context, and meaning on the History page.
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Community Response |
"There are people that view that flag with disdain. It's going to be seen by travelers, and we don't need that. That's unfortunate."
- McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry "Paducah City Commissioner Gerald Watkins made a motion to pass a resolution opposing the raising of the Confederate flag along Interstate-24 near exit 16. The commission voted to support the resolution against the flag." -Paducah City Council Records, May 15, 2012 |