Danville Vet Turns U.S. Flags Upside Down In Protest
Updated: April 14, 2011
DANVILLE - Flag confusion is stirring the pot in Danville as several American flags fly upside down. A veteran, 86-year-old Harold "Sparky" Songer, flipped the flags in protest.
"I just hope it does shock a lot of people into reality that there's something wrong, we've got to go back to common sense," explained Songer who is the president of the Vermilion County War Museum.
On Saturday he turned flags upside down in front of the museum, Korean-Vietnam War Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Women's Monument to show a sign of distress.
According to the law, says a U.S. flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
Songer said he's upset with the way veterans are treated, and concerned if the government were to shutdown soldiers wouldn't get paid. He said he's not happy about the budget, and feels veterans are being cut out.
He said he's just exercising his freedom of speech, and not sure when he'll turn the flags up right, it depends on the government.
"Whenever Washington DC gets their act together and those congressman and senators convince the Obama Administration to remove the portion in that bill if the government shuts down, that vets and their families won't be penalized with their paychecks," said Songer.
Songer said he's had a lot of vets back his decision, but one vet who who walked by said it was sad to see and doesn't agree.
"I think Mr. Songer has every right to protest, but not on the war memorial site, or any of these sites here, but on his own property," said veteran Tuck Miller who took a picture of the flipped flag.
Several people in the area said they too think the country is in distress and support Songer's decision.
"I have two grandsons that have been in Iraq and Afghanistan, I respect the flag and for this to draw attention to some people I think it's a good idea," said Danville resident Gloria Hufford.
Other people agreed and said it supports the troops and believe its realty and that the country is in distress. Still, some people think it's not the right way.
"We may not always agree with the way the government is doing things, but they're other ways to change it and flying our flag is in disrespect is not one of them," said Miller.
"I'm not doing it to disgrace the flat at all, it's a beautiful flag and I'll fight for it with my life," explained Songer.
Songer fought in World War II , the Korean War and Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war.
"I just hope it does shock a lot of people into reality that there's something wrong, we've got to go back to common sense," explained Songer who is the president of the Vermilion County War Museum.
On Saturday he turned flags upside down in front of the museum, Korean-Vietnam War Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Women's Monument to show a sign of distress.
According to the law, says a U.S. flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
Songer said he's upset with the way veterans are treated, and concerned if the government were to shutdown soldiers wouldn't get paid. He said he's not happy about the budget, and feels veterans are being cut out.
He said he's just exercising his freedom of speech, and not sure when he'll turn the flags up right, it depends on the government.
"Whenever Washington DC gets their act together and those congressman and senators convince the Obama Administration to remove the portion in that bill if the government shuts down, that vets and their families won't be penalized with their paychecks," said Songer.
Songer said he's had a lot of vets back his decision, but one vet who who walked by said it was sad to see and doesn't agree.
"I think Mr. Songer has every right to protest, but not on the war memorial site, or any of these sites here, but on his own property," said veteran Tuck Miller who took a picture of the flipped flag.
Several people in the area said they too think the country is in distress and support Songer's decision.
"I have two grandsons that have been in Iraq and Afghanistan, I respect the flag and for this to draw attention to some people I think it's a good idea," said Danville resident Gloria Hufford.
Other people agreed and said it supports the troops and believe its realty and that the country is in distress. Still, some people think it's not the right way.
"We may not always agree with the way the government is doing things, but they're other ways to change it and flying our flag is in disrespect is not one of them," said Miller.
"I'm not doing it to disgrace the flat at all, it's a beautiful flag and I'll fight for it with my life," explained Songer.
Songer fought in World War II , the Korean War and Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war.
