Flag image courtesy of Lexicon, Vikrum via wikipedia.org.
New York town confiscates original Marine Corps flag, claiming 'Tea Party' ties
by Timothy Whiteman
"A wonderful way to show our gratitude for the sacrifices that members of our Armed Forces make to keep us free...".
The City Council of New Rochelle, NY has ordered the Revolutionary War's Gadsden Flag to be removed from its flagpole and confiscated from a patriotic veteran's group, as reported by the Sacramento Bee on April 8, 2013.
The conservative-leaning Thomas More Law Center has been retained by New Rochelle resident and former U.S. Marine Peter Parente, who is also the president of the United Veterans Memorial & Patriotic Association of New Rochelle, New York (UVMPA-NR).
"We have just begun to fight."
- - Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center
As reported, Parente unfurled both the current American Flag above the Gadsden Flag, popularly known as the "Don't Tread on Me" flag, at the city's historic New Rochelle Armory.
New Rochelle chartered the UVMPA to formally conduct various services to honor veterans and also to provide care of memorials and monuments throughout the New York City suburb.
Within a week of the flag raising ceremony, City Manager Chuck Strome ordered Parente to take down the Gadsden Flag due to "unidentified complainants" stating the Revolutionary War flag was actually a "Tea Party symbol."
After the former Leatherneck explained to Strome the historical significance of the Gadsden Flag used as the battle colors of both the Continental Marines and Continental Navy, Strome had a change of heart and allowed the bright yellow flag to remain flying below the Stars and Stripes.
Despite the Gadsden Flag officially being a historic American flag, Parente was informed less than 3 hours after his conversation with the City Manager "that a majority of the City Council had voted to remove the Flag."
Later that same day, the Gadsden Flag was removed and confiscated by the Public Works Department.
As Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center later commented:
"We have just begun to fight."
Meanwhile Next Door...
In an ongoing battle between Marine veterans and Connecticut state officials, there has been a two and a half year fight to allow the Gadsden Flag to be flown over the state capitol on the Fourth of July to honor the U.S. Marine Corps.
Leading the charge in the State Senate are GOP Senators Toni Boucher and Sam Caligiuri.
As Sen. Boucher noted:
"Granting the U.S. Marines' request to fly their flag over our State Capitol on July 4th is a wonderful way to show our gratitude for the sacrifices that members of our Armed Forces make to keep us free."
The New Canaan Republican went on to cite:
"To place this in historical context, the Gadsden flag was first flown by Marines in the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War in 1775 and currently flies over Marine bases [formerly] in Iraq and Afghanistan."
My thought: When they declare open season on asses these folk should be at the top of the hunting list! I have zero use for piss ant politicians and their opinions. They should be treated like cockroaches.
SOURCE: examiner.com
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