Electra Glide In Blue

You just don’t mess with the flag at the Chester James Carknard VFW Post 1938 in Valley Falls, New York.

That was proven last weekend when a drunk was refused service Friday night in the Post lounge because he didn’t have proper identification. It turns out the guy went outside to the Post flagpole, lowered the flag and burned it right there on the VFW Post property.

This wasn’t just any U.S. flag; it was a flag that flew over a fox hole in Iraq. A fox hole that several U.S. soldiers never made it out of alive.

Post Commander Nick Normile, a Vietnam veteran, was so incensed over the flag burning that he hunted the man down.

Commander Normile found him on Sunday and duct taped him to the flag pole. Normile said the guy didn’t deny it, said he was drunk. Let’s just say he volunteered to sit out here duct taped to the pole.

For six hours the man sat duct taped to the pole, wearing a sign describing his actions. People passing by snapped pictures of the scene.

“I told him to sit there like those kids that were in that foxhole and see what they felt like because you are only getting a small taste of what they went through,” Normile told NEWS10.
He adds the man learned his lesson, and with that lesson learned, Normile now wants to protect the man from any violent retaliation.
Normile asked NEWS10 not to reveal the man’s name to also protect the young man’s family.
The bits of the flag that survived will be retired during an official ceremony.

Now that’s flag burner justice, VFW style. I think the guy got off easy.

Check out the video from News10 out of Albany, New York. BTW this video loads slow.

As we gather together at fun-filled backyard barbeques and fireworks displays, lets remember the true meaning of Independence Day by honoring the heritage of this great nation and the heroes who fought for her.

1. Fly Your Flag, show your neighbors and community that you stand behind the red, white and blue.

2. Educate Young People, explain the true meaning of Independence Day and tell them what our veterans have done to protect this country and our freedom.

3. Reach Out to a Military Family, offer to make a meal or mow the lawn of a military family in your community struggling through a long deployment.

4. Reach out to a veteran, stop in at your local VA or nursing home and spend just a little of your time talking to a veteran. Even 15 minutes of kind conversation and a listening ear can really boost a veteran’s spirits.

5. Make a donation, of time or money at your local VFW or American Legion.

Ride Safe and enjoy your freedom on this Independence Day.