THE AMERICAN Stars and Stripes flag could be flown annually on June 6 in future to honour the US Army servicemen stationed in Tavistock prior to the D-Day Normandy landings on that day in 1944. Members of Tavistock Town Council's properties committee discussed flying the flag on either June 6 or July 4, American Independence Day. However, with the men of the 29th Division being stationed in Tavistock and surrounding villages during the Second World War, it was felt that June 6 was a more suitable date to fly the Stars and Stripes. Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'The Stars and Stripes flag was presented to the town after the war as a token of friendship and thanks for the hospitality and support shown to the American forces by the people of Tavistock. There is strong logic for the flag to be flown on June 6 due to the involvement of the 29th Division in the D Day landings.' The mayor, Cllr Harry Smith, said he too supported the June 6 date for flying the Stars and Stripes to 'commemorate the sacrifice they made' on that date in 1944, landing on the beaches of Normandy. The decision to fly the flag on June 6 each year was due to be ratified by full council on Tuesday (July 15) as the Times went to press. More than 70 years have passed since the American soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division of the US Army were based and trained in Devon and Cornwall, May 1943 until early June 1944. The soldiers initially trained around Oxford but in May 1943, they were relocated to Devon and Cornwall with bases including Tavistock, Okehampton and Plymouth. • An exhibition at Tavistock Museum by the Guildhall Car Park features the US Army in Tavistock during World War Two, and the role played by the 115th Field Hospital on Plaister Down which treated casualties brought back to Tavistock after the landings.