Borne back ceaselessly into the past

In 2001 wi-fi emitters did not get in the way of the commemorative flags

Ten years ago today the color drained from downtown Amherst as 29 red white and blue flags were removed from their perches on a gorgeous late summer Labor Day, no different from the mid-August Monday morning when they first flew to "test the apparatus," but looked so good the veterans agent decided to keep them flying.

Ten years ago today the congestion in downtown Amherst had returned to a busy peak after a seasonal summer of slumber. College kids came and went in all directions, while harried shopkeepers set a busy pace trying to keep up.

Today, Labor Day, the flags flew again. Ten years ago they were not scheduled to fly on 9/11...but did. At half staff. This Sunday on 9/11 they are scheduled to fly. Briefly.