THE Stars and Stripes flag of America will now be flown in Tavistock twice a year to commemorate two separate dates. Tavistock Town councillors last Tuesday decided to raise the flag twice, following former mayor Robin Pike's concerns that the Stars and Stripes was not flown this year on July 4. The raising of the flag on American Independence Day has been a tradition in the town, as a way of honouring the US Army servicemen who were stationed in Tavistock, prior to the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944. It was suggested at a properties committee meeting on July 8 that the flag be flown on June 6, the date of the D-Day landings, instead of July 4. During public question time at last week's full council meeting, Mr Pike explained how important it was to fly the flag on July 4. He said: 'The first flag of 48 stars was presented to the town when the 29th Division left for Normandy and they said to "fly on Independence Day in commemoration of our stay in Tavistock". 'Then in the early 60s, as it was out of date, a military general came down from London and presented the 50 star American flag to the town, along with the flag for Maryland and Virginia. 'I want to be assured that the Stars and Stripes will be flown on July 4 every year as it wasn't this year, which is absolutely disgusting. 'It should be kept on Independence Day and stick with tradition.' During the meeting Cllr Philip Sanders said: 'I see no logical reason for June 6 — we have a tradition of raising that flag on July 4, and I won't support that we change to June 6.' Cllr Ted Sherrell proposed that the flag be flown on both June 6 and July 4, which was agreed by councillors.