Dec 29, 2011
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A Maryland community is up in arms after state highway workers removed an American flag honoring military personnel from a traffic circle and threw it into a dump truck.
“We want our flag back,” Rhonda Winkler told Fox News & Commentary. “We are patriots and we love America.”
Winkler and her family erected the flag in a traffic circle three years ago in the town of Woodbine. They posted the flag to honor their nephew, a soldier deployed to Afghanistan.
About a month ago a car crashed into the roundabout damaging a tree and destroying the original flag. So Winkler’s husband and an 88-year-old World War Two veteran replaced the flag. And that’s when the trouble started.
Winkler said she received a telephone call alerting her that state highway workers had taken down the flag and the flag pole, tossing both into the back of a dump truck.
“They told us it was against the law to erect a flag on the traffic circle,” Winkler said. “They told my husband that whoever put up the flag could be arrested for trespassing.”
State highway workers also told her that people had complained about Old Glory.
“We figured it’s the American flag and we live in the United States of America – how can anyone have a problem with it,” Winkler asked.
David Buck, a spokesman for the state high department, told the Baltimore Sun that there is also a safety issue.
“They don’t have traffic control out there, and they don’t have (road work) vests on,” he told the newspaper.
The flags removal sparked outrage across the community. Dozens of people turned out for a rally – many people waving flags. It was especially moving for local residents who have loved ones serving in the military.
“It brought tears to my eyes,” Daniela Schnetzler told the Baltimore Sun. Her son just returned from Iraq. “We need that support. Freedom isn’t free, I’ll tell you that.”
And Winkler said that’s why the flag has been flying all these years – to support not just her nephew but every member of the military.
“If it was something derogatory or inappropriate, that’s one thing,” resident Gene Mellin told the newspaper. “But to take the flag down, it’s not right. I know they have rules, but it’s just a flag. It’s the flag.”
Winkler said she hopes her three young children will learn a lesson from the incident.
“When you believe in something, you have to take a stand,” she said. “That doesn’t mean going out and rioting and sleeping on streets and not going to work. It means you work hard, you work for yourselves, and you work for your country so that we are a better people.”
As for now – there’s no indication if the state of Maryland will reverse their decision – or if the Winkler family will get back their flag.
She said state workers have refused to return the Stars and Stripes.
Winkler said she is typically not one to raise a big stink about stuff – but not this time.
“We as Americans have to take a stand,” she said. “No matter what, we support the flag.”
So why raise a big stink?
“Because it’s the American flag,” she said.
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The flag represents….US….WE THE PEOPLE! Disrespect of the flag is spit in the eye of everyone it represents. Even if taking it down, or moving it, was the right thing….throwing it in a dump truck!
ARE YOU ALL a bunch of knuckleheads? You cannot go and erect some free-standing structure in the middle of a state right-of-way just because it happens to be a symbol of liberty. I don't know what you are all thinking, but the flag does not give you that type of liberty. I love the flag. I would not do anything to desecrate the flag or disrespect the flag, but for heaven's sake, use your head. Do what I do. Fly the flag on your property. I fly two flags! What you don't seem to realize is that the state workers are charged with clearing the rights-of-way of EVERYTHING. They have no choice in the matter. If people could go around constructing things in the roads' rights-of-way, there is no telling what all would be constructed. On your property, you can fly Old Glory. Maryland, by the way, leaves MANY flags flying on overpasses across state highways. Route 70, for instance, right near your beloved Woodbine. The subject of this article is a hazard. If some driver hit the thing and injured themselves, who should pay for the injuries? Will the Winkler family step up to the plate and be so eager to take responsibility then? Doubtful. Use some common sense. Fly the flag on your property, in your condo, in your apartment window, but leave the State of Maryland out of it. God Bless America, a place where knuckleheads are at liberty to be themselves!
WRONG it DOES give you that liberty. That is what passes for the town square in that location, it's not in the middle of a state right-of-way, it's the middle of a traffic circle in an unincorporated town, which on the east coast means the traffic circle itself wasn't even state property but county property, only the road itself and the shoulder are state property. Putting up symbols of free speech- of which the flag is the oldest example in the town square IS PROTECTED, as is right of assembly.
BTW, the fact that it is a town square is denoted by the FLOWERS, I guarantee you those were not placed and maintained by the state. If the town or county did it- it's legally a public square for that location.
BTW, the fact that it is a town square is denoted by the FLOWERS, I guarantee you those were not placed and maintained by the state. If the town or county did it- it's legally a public square for that location.
BTW, the fact that it is a town square is denoted by the FLOWERS, I guarantee you those were not placed and maintained by the state. If the town or county did it- it's legally a public square for that location.
I live here. It is not a town square. The property is owned by the state. The state is charged with maintaining the law in all forms. No one assembles there. Objects placed or constructed are removed regardless of their subject matter. Just ask the thousands of businesses and home builders about having their "symbols of freedom" removed from the rights-of-way all across this beautiful state. Defending the "lawbreaker's" position with the "right of assembly" argument is ridiculous. I'd like to put up a basketball hoop there, too, in honor of all men in arms who ever enjoyed a pick-up game of ball. In fact, since baseball is America's pasttime, I'd rather have a baseball diamond laid out and have the school kids run around the bases during recess. And, you better cover your bet on who planted any flowers. You'll lose that argument, too. The MD Highway Admin. beautifies roads with flowers all over Maryland.
Town square is not a literal town square, in the legal sense it means a public place or central location that is highly visible. Legally in a town at cross roads- the circle suffices under the law as a town square. They may *remove* the objects, but that doesn't mean it is *illegal* to place them there.
I'm sorry for the anti-american individuals who now live in our nation. We are a proud people who love our country. For the individuals who treated the flag with disrespect" they should be fired and also singled out for there actions. I have always said that "If you don't like our country and what and who it is stands for you can get on a boat and I'm sure that there are some other countries that would love to have you". We all should have the freedom to fly our flag and show our patroitism anyway we desire!
Keep electing left wing loons to office and this will continue until there will be no flag to fight over…..
I felt the need to weigh in on this. I left the state of Maryland in the early 90's and will agree with many of the people's comments about how liberal Maryland is. That aside, lets look at this issue. The Winklers erected a flag pole and the American Flag in an extemely rural community in order to honor the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, very admirable. Perhaps they should have gotten a permit first, perhaps they should have asked the legislature of Howard County if it was okay. Regardless they did this three years ago and their hearts were in the right place. The real issue here to me is the continual pandering of our officials to anybody that feels offended by anything. Politcal correctness has overstayed its welcome. IT is time to get back to doing what's right. We all pledge allegiance to our flag everyday we atttend school. It's not just empty words. This flag should stay, and the people that don't like it should come forward to be heard. I have been to Woodbine, it is a beautiful area and the people are not pretentious or hateful, they are kind hearted loving true Americans, the kind of people you would love to have as a neighbor. I am proud that Rhonda and Jaime Winkler are friends of mine. I support them, I support their cause, I support doing the right thing, not the politcally correct one. How can a flag in the middle of a traffic circle in the middle of farm country be an issue? Its time to take a stand on many things in this country, I am glad my friends are leading the way. God Bless.
I felt the need to weigh in on this. I left the state of Maryland in the early 90's and will agree with many of the people's comments about how liberal Maryland is. That aside, lets look at this issue. The Winklers erected a flag pole and the American Flag in an extemely rural community in order to honor the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, very admirable. Perhaps they should have gotten a permit first, perhaps they should have asked the legislature of Howard County if it was okay. Regardless they did this three years ago and their hearts were in the right place. The real issue here to me is the continual pandering of our officials to anybody that feels offended by anything. Politcal correctness has overstayed its welcome. IT is time to get back to doing what's right. We all pledge allegiance to our flag everyday we atttend school. It's not just empty words. This flag should stay, and the people that don't like it should come forward to be heard. I have been to Woodbine, it is a beautiful area and the people are not pretentious or hateful, they are kind hearted loving true Americans, the kind of people you would love to have as a neighbor. I am proud that Rhonda and Jaime Winkler are friends of mine. I support them, I support their cause, I support doing the right thing, not the politcally correct one. How can a flag in the middle of a traffic circle in the middle of farm country be an issue? Its time to take a stand on many things in this country, I am glad my friends are leading the way. God Bless.
Welcome to post free republic America. Your nation is on its death bed and you will soon become world slaves subject to the rule by the UN. America, its rights, freedoms and its sovereignty will be destroyed if the criminal politicians have their way.
Welcome to post free republic America. Your nation is on its death bed and you will soon become world slaves subject to the rule by the UN. America, its rights, freedoms and its sovereignty will be destroyed if the criminal politicians have their way.
however complained about the flag is a liberal traitor who probably hates our country and our troops who are serving overseas or perhaps is an illegal immigrant who hates America….but I'm not susprised our liberal governor also wants this flag gone.
Between deployments to Iraq as a Marine Sgt my son dated a girl from Maryland.She invited him to eat Thanksgiving at her family home.Her family wouldn't let him in the house because he was a member of the US military.Nice folks in Maryland real patriots.
Why even bother making a comment. The whole fact that we let people get away with garbage like this about our flag sorta tells it all. We actually listen to their complaints instead of pounding their faces into the scenery.
I have a question. Isn't the flag supposed to be taken down before sunset unless it's illuminated? If this flag is in a traffic circle, is anyone able to take it down and put it back up every day? I'm guessing that is a concern, in line with the quote about how there isn't traffic control or vests for the citizens out there. If that's the case, then flying a flag under those conditions isn't entirely respectful, and I'd have to say that this is a fair decision out of respect to the flag. We can still fly our flags in areas where we can take complete care of them.
what they need is to have on every square inch of that circle an American VET or service member standing on it carrying an American flag..
Why am I not surprised this happened in Maryland, not far from Baltimore? Oh, and James Lott? Please do us all a favor and kill yourself. Thanks.
if the had a safety problem.. ok.. but you do not toss an American flag in a garbage truck.. EVER.
SHAME on the individuals who did it. I bet not one ever had been in the military…
Jeffry Scism and Leigh Ann Erdman… someone must own jurisdiction over that roundabout, no matter how rural it is… if there's no township, then the County owns it. To find out, look at who pays these highway worksers (the county I suspect).
This is where we're at? It is illegal to erect a flag in a traffic circle?
Sounds like more public union spite.
I fought for that flag and the right of Americans to put it up in tribute. The State Workers need to be educated on how a U.S. flag should be treated.
Let's see, the flag flew there for three years with no complaints. Suddenly it's a major problem and illegal. So they solve the problem by throwing the U.S. flag in the garbage. How about taking it down properly and trying to find the owner through maybe the newspaper, radio and local news. These state workers are total Jackasses.
just waiting for the the person that rips it off the flag on my deployment jacket.it is not red, white and blue but od colors.old glory should be flying any place in this country.i can't stand and sing this national anthem without tears in my eyes.what is this country coming too.where are the americans at?
Well this is what's wrong America now the flag is what America stands for freedom but it's not free we loose love ones for our freedom and other people in this country have the right to say if the flag stands or goes just like they taking God out of the schools but they Spend that mOney with God we trust.
In Florida " We the People " can be charged with Trespassing on OUR roads and highways. Got a letter from FDOT confirming this. So My fellow Citizens of Florida , We are Allow by Our Benevelent Government and Unelected FDOT to use the Roads and Highways We " Thought " We owned.
Actually as much as I hate that- that is true. The highways aren't even necessarily owned by the gov't at large. The interstates actually belong to the US military and the asphalt on them is built to military specifications for moving tanks etc. They were built to facilitate the defense of the US in case of invasion of ground forces. THe money to build interstates has always been technically on paper loaned from DOD to DOT etc… because of this…
Actually as much as I hate that- that is true. The highways aren't even necessarily owned by the gov't at large. The interstates actually belong to the US military and the asphalt on them is built to military specifications for moving tanks etc. They were built to facilitate the defense of the US in case of invasion of ground forces. THe money to build interstates has always been technically on paper loaned from DOD to DOT etc… because of this…
Actually as much as I hate that- that is true. The highways aren't even necessarily owned by the gov't at large. The interstates actually belong to the US military and the asphalt on them is built to military specifications for moving tanks etc. They were built to facilitate the defense of the US in case of invasion of ground forces. THe money to build interstates has always been technically on paper loaned from DOD to DOT etc… because of this…
as a UNITED STATES NAVY VETERAN, I am ashamed at any state who takes the position the American flag does not belong anywhere! I also have a son who is honorably serving in Korea at this time, maybe these people who are doing this need to be shipped somewhere overseas to protect our FLAG!
Donald, thank you for your service. My father served in the Navy in WWII and my granddaughter who recently joined the Marines will be transferring to the Navy for part of her training. God bless America!
If they are looking to arrest someone I volenteer to be arrested, I'll let you use your imagination as to the headline the day after I'm arrested, one hint, it won't be very nice and people will be hurt.
I wish James Lott would go to another country where he can live life in a completely socialistic environment. No it's not illegal but very disrespectful and I doubt you "served" under th same flag as most of us who served his country.
The Flag Protection Act of 1989 is STILL on the books, it was only the *application* of the law to protest burning/ free speech that was declared unConstitutional by the court, not the law itself. Thus for non free-speech issues, desecration of the flag is punishable by up to a year in jail. This is confirmed with my local police department who put in writing that it is against federal law to dispose of a flag improperly (law spells out) only desecration of a flag as a form of public protest as a form of free speech is protected. That does NOT apply to the cleanup crew throwning the flag out with other roadside garbage.
PROSECUTE PROSECUTE!
TEACH ALL THE DIRTBAGS A LESSON!
Those state workers should be fired. That's completely unamerican!
Seems to be an ever increasing pool of idiots working at every levell of government. I think this election will be a good time to start thinning them out.
Here in Cleveland a citizen placed a flag atop one of the interstate median light poles. Several months later it blew down in a storm. They put it back up, everybody knows about it and the state maintenance department didn't have any problem with it. I guess Midwest common sense is limited to the Midwest.
Gee James Lott you say you served in the military, yet you hane absolutley not one ounce of respect for those who currently in uniform.Sounds like a troop hater to me.And before you try to counter I love my country, best be ready to prove you do too.
those workers are prob. illeagle!
.I am from Europ and I like US Flag……….
Anyone remember The Star Spangled Banner was written in Baltimore Harbor in MD. The flag "so proudly we hail'd" was thrown into a garbage truck, people!
It has to be in socialist Howard County, don't tell me Carroll County has gone to the dark side of the Democratic party..
I think the workers that threw Old Glory in the back of the dump truck should be Fired for treating our Flag with disrespect. The American Flag stands for Freedom and don't belong in the back of a dump truck like a piece of trash. Sounds like James Lott is dumber then a box of rocks open mouth insert foot duh.
trowing it in the back of a dump truck is desecration.who complained? shame on those workers.were they illegals?
Hated the scene in A Few Good Men when Cruise was kicking Nicholson's behing. With a bit of liberty the line from Nicholson was "you need me and want me on that wall." BTDT and if the tossed flag had been a state employees union card the "tossing offender" would get 25 to life. AND then we die. Put the flag back where is was.
State Highway won't allow it because they didn't get their kickback!
Make you glad you live in MD!!
give the flag back, throwing it into the back of a dump truck is……well it's just wrong! It stood for 3 years what is the bfd about letting it stay? On the other hand since there are rules and such forth then they should erect a flagpole in their own yard as close to the street as possible and raise the flag. There problem solved!
why don't they ask the ppeople who put there lives on the line for this great country I was in viet nam and I m proud to have served for my country that flag means more then some people think.
Im so sick of this bullshit. Politicly correct bullshit. LEAVE OUR FLAG ALONE !!! Thank you for serving
Thank you Bill for severing,,,I agree leave our flag alone,,,it means a lot to me too,
James Lott do some research on the flag. The flag code is federal law. See title 4 US code. NOT just for DC.
Ummm…would someone please tell me how you can "trespass" on public property that is maintained and paid for by TAXPAYER dollars?
The workers who unlawfully removed both the pole and OUR flag are guilty of theft. If they felt it was a safety hazard, and removed it for that reason, they should have put both items in a safe place until the owners could reclaim it. And under NO circumstances should they be allowed to desecrate the American flag by throwing it in with garbage. They should be fired from their positions and arrested for both desecration of the flag and the stealing of it!
James Lott, YOU are a prime example of the COMMUNISTIC MIND SET, I can personally get you a ONE WAY ticket to a place where you will fit right in.
I just read the article. As far as taking down the American flag is not right. I have an American flag here at home. And I'am proud of it. I figure I was born under it, served under it for twenty years (military service) and will be bury under it when I die.
Another thing the worker should return the flag to the owner. They have no right to keep her flag.
So, these same workers did not notice that there was a flag there in the same spot for three years prior? And if they were so fastidious about the "safety issue" of those putting up the pole & flag, not wearing vests, not blocking off the traffic, where were they while the task was being done, having hot coffee & donuts? If there were some violation of the law & codes, could the flag not have been removed in a more tactful manner, rather than being surrepititiously being tossed into a dump truck intended for a junk heap? And why would it not behoove some local official to take a few moments to consider and make some jesture to appeal and apease both sides? Too busy posturing, plotting the next election? There is a lot of meat here. Someone please get a grip! We are losing our NATION to the NAZIS!
The people that want to bash our flag treat it digracefully , apparently have not been tought that it represents this country and what it stands for. Are they foreigners orjust people who's parents did not teach them that it has been a symbal of our freedom sence 1776 or were they socialist or comunist that forgot to teach there children why they come to this country or have they been tought the comunist way by our colleges that are filled with socialist and comunist and if the people of this town don't stand up for our flag , realise they are enableing more of the same and are a disgrace to this country , or could it be they don't have a back bone just a yellow stipe running up there back or could it be they don't relise they have been put on the front lines in the fight for this country and the freedoms we have enjoyed and are loosing rapidly and its up to towns like this one and others to not only stand up for our flag but our freedom, for Gods sake people stand up to the tearany that is taking over this country. I pray the Lord blesses yall with the vision and entelegence to see that yall are on the front lines of freedom and don't give into the pressure to take our freedom away, stand up and tell them its not going to happen in your town just like the rest of us have to do no matter what the cost our freedom is one of the greatest gifts we have so don't be willing to give it up without a fight, may the Lord be with you, its your town not the elected official or appointed wich ever the case may be, hold on to that american pride and honnor.
wow has this country got to the point that a symbol of our country has no place in public. I am seeing more and more instances of this kind of deadening of our national pride and unity. What purpose could there be to not allow the "flying of the colors". We allow all types of indiscretions by our new immigrants…things such as full length robes hiding faces etc. Sometimes these garbs are dangerous etc. Female muslims are allowed to have there driver license photo taken while hiding behind masks , yet the flag is illegal and the planter of the flag is "subject" to arrest? Please, can someone explain why this is happening? I anxiously await the answer………………………WE ARE Americans and we should fly our flag with pride………………………………………
Don't be too mad at James Lott. He is a result of what the liberal left has done to our public school system. He doesn't really know any better. We all didn't realize until too late the impact the liberals have made in our schools. The Department of Education, created and controlled at the federal level has manipulated weaving their socialist agendas into the curriculum. We just assumed that our kids would be taught as we were, and were unaware that devious people were using our own government against us, by their constant creation of new agencies and departments, choking out what we once held dear. Remember, we used to say the "Pledge of Allegiance" every day in school and learned respect both for our flag and our country. We pledged our "allegiance" 1st to the flag of the USA, itself, and then to the "REPUBLIC" (not democracy) of which it represented. We had a ceremony every morning of raising the flag at school, and every afternoon we would take it down again with great care, folding it in a specific manner, and then storing it in a special place until it would be brought out again the next morning. Well, since that time they no longer make that their opening theme of the day, nor do they discuss what a Rebublic even is, but have exchanged that term with "democracy"…. which does NOT protect individual rights, but merely allows for 51% of a mass to decide the fate of the other 49%. That system is not what our forefathers fought for, yet that is what is being ingrained into our schools and in daily language as the big government works its propaganda machines as a means to control the masses…. explaining why, if you follow the money trail, you will see the connections between big government and our media.