ALEXANDRIA, Ind. — Rick Wood says he’s a proud American, and that’s why he’s flying the American flag outside his home upside down.
About two months ago, Wood decide to flip the flag, displaying what’s traditionally seen as a military distress signal.
His point? Wood believes the country is in distress.
Wood said the country is experiencing infighting between legislators, Wall Street theft, pharmaceutical company price-gouging and corporations controlling America.
Wood said he now considers himself an Independent, disappointed by the actions of American politicians. “I’ve lost faith in our two-party system.”
Wood’s neighbor, Floyd Hickerson, says Wood’s display of the flag is offensive. “It’s defacing the flag. The flag wasn’t made to fly upside down.”
Hickerson, a veteran, said he’s personally insulted by Wood’s form of protest, and believes that it’s unnecessary. “There’s other ways to go about it.”
Wood says he’s not the only person flying the flag upside down in Alexandria.
He’s certainly not the only person doing it in America.
A North Carolina couple was arrested two years ago after flying the flag upside down with signs of protest pinned to it.
In December, an Illinois small businesswoman who flew her flag upside down in protest of the Wall Street bailouts drew media attention and criticism from neighbors.
Also in December, a Wisconsin man reported receiving death threats after flying an upside-down flag in protest of the Iraq War and what he called the loss of civil liberties in America.
Hickerson admits that he, too, is disenchanted by the government, but disagrees with his neighbor’s methods. “I’m disappointed in some ways but not that unhappy about it. I don’t like the way some of the things are going but it takes a while to change it. The world wasn’t made in one day.”
Hickerson said he’s consulted other veterans living in the rural area and insists that they are offended by the display.
Wood disagrees.
“I have called folks that I know who are veterans in discussion and they understand the reasoning. It is not a disgrace to the flag to do such.”
Mike Johnson served in the infantry in the Vietnam War and said he’s not offended by Wood’s display of the flag but doesn’t think it’s a good idea.
“For someone to do that in their yard, I don’t know, to me it’s kind of uncouth.”
Johnson doesn’t believe the distress sign is warranted. “It’s a distress signal when you’re in danger. I don’t think anybody in the United States is in immediate danger. That’s open to interpretation, I guess.”
Although he doesn’t agree with Wood’s decision to flip the flag, Johnson is proud that he can. “As a veteran, I fought for the right for people to have their individual freedoms. I may not agree with it, but he has his individual freedoms.”
Navy veteran Joe Clingerman said flying the flag upside down is not equivalent to defacing the flag. He’s offended by those who burn, stomp or spit on the flag, but doesn’t believe inverting the flag is as objectionable.
“There’s nothing you can do about it. It’s not against the law.”
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Don Knight
Discussion
Alex man flies flag upside down
Wood says America is in distress
- Local News
-
-
Rivals back home, friends here
Football fans began arriving here for Super Bowl XLVI on Friday, bringing together complete strangers, families and old fraternity buddies.
-
Pats tats are sign of pride for Indy police officer
There’s no love lost in this Super Bowl host city for the New England Patriots, but it’s no crime to be a Pats fan. Just ask Indianapolis police Officer Mike Andresen.
-
Wireless infrastructure to be tested under heavy demand
The throngs of fans who’ll descend on Lucas Oil Stadium for Sunday’s Super Bowl game may experience the most “connected” game in the event’s history, thanks to an estimated $100 million investment in technology infrastructure in and around the stadium.
-
Brothers arrested, charged with trafficking
Two men were being held at the Madison County Jail Friday after being arrested and charged with felonies at the Pendleton Correctional Facility Thursday night.
-
Police respond to shooting on 10th Street
Police responded late Friday evening to a reported shooting at a residence on West 10th Street.
-
Local Briefs: Feb. 4
A compilation of news items of local and statewide interest as published in the Saturday edition of the Herald Bulletin.
-
Arrest log: Feb. 4
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on Madison County Jail records.
-
Super Car on display at Mounds Mall
Residents wanting to be a part of the super celebration have another opportunity to do so by visiting Mounds Mall to get an up-close look at one of 33 NFL franchise-themed Indy cars.
-
Once in a lifetime
When it was announced that Indianapolis would host Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, Michelle Brandle and her close friends raced to get online and sign up for a spot to volunteer.
-
Leadership Academy graduates class of 2012
Thursday night marked at least two milestones for the Leadership Academy of Madison County.
It marked the 30th graduating class from the academy, and the attendance at the annual graduation dinner at Anderson Country Club set a new record of 167. - More Local News Headlines
-
