Baghdad flag soars high above Lynn City Hall

LYNN – The smile on Army Specialist Matthew Katz’s face spread from ear to ear as he pulled the strings raising the American flag to the top of the pole in front of City Hall Friday morning.Not even the swirling wind, mild for a late December day in the Northeast, could calm his enthusiasm even as the flag tangled around the top of the pole.After all, the self-proclaimed “military brat” has a lot to smile about these days. Along with presenting the flag, which has flown over the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, to his adopted hometown, the Highlands resident was also riding high after surprising his girlfriend Maria with a visit and an engagement ring on Christmas Eve.Katz, a 14-year Army veteran who serves with the 65th PAOC in Baghdad, had been anticipating his two-week holiday leave for months, and coordinated a meeting with Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. to present the battle-tested flag to the city.”This flag is for everyone in the city. It represents all of the family members who are still over seas that can’t be home with their family on the holidays,” he said, speaking to a full room inside Clancy’s office. “Just being with your family on the holidays is hard as it is, but being away from them and not knowing when you will see them again is even harder.”Growing up in a military family, Katz moved frequently, but the Peabody High School graduate said he did not find a true home until he came to Lynn 10 years ago. He spoke very highly of his friendly and hospitable neighbors, and of the city as a whole, which he touted as warm and welcoming to an outsider like himself.”This is a man that moved to the city and he felt that his neighbors were warm and hospitable and has realty found a home here,” said Clancy. We are very grateful for what he has done, first and foremost for all of the service, and also for bringing a flag to Lynn. It is a beautiful thing, and it is a beautiful day.”Along with the city, Katz also presented a flag to Lynn VFW 507, who had members in attendance. Each flag came with a certificate signed by the U.S Chief of Public Affairs in Baghdad, Anthony Cucolo, featuring a picture of the embassy, which is housed in former Iraq Leader Saddam Hussein’s main palace.State Rep. Steven Walsh was also in attendance, along with representatives from the city’s office of Veteran’s Services and members of the Lynn English Junior ROTC program.Katz’s visit will be a short one, as he will return to Baghdad on Jan. 9 for a final six-month assignment before coming home to Lynn for good.”I have always been a military brat, but I feel like I have finally found a home here in Lynn,” he said. “I have made some of the strongest friendships of my life here. But I also want to remember all of our brothers and sisters overseas that are having a rough time of it. There are a lot of good guys and a lot of good women over there fighting every day. I can tell you, being near GE, we are very happy to be able to hear one of those GE (jet engines) flying over us.”According to veteran’s services, the flag will fly above City Hall until Jan. 4, when it will be given a home inside the Mayor’s office.