Upside Down Flag Removed

DECATUR, Ind. (WANE) - Less than 12 hours after Newschannel 15 first reported an upside down flag flying in Decatur, the owner of the business took it down.

Greg Townsend, of Townsend Tire Service, said he took the flag down Friday out of respect for his fellow veterans and because his employees were threatening to quit because of the flag. Of his seven employees, one of them already had quit, and Townsend said three more were threatening to do the same.

Even so, Townsend ran the flag upside once again a short time on Friday, not long after he had taken it down.

People around town are reacting to the way Townsend is expressed his opinion.

"He's not defacing it, he's not burning it," said Gene Grote of Decatur. "We've had people burn the flag, and not get arrested, so I don't see any problem with it."

Decatur Resident Tari Lengerich agreed. "It's freedom of speech I guess. He has the right to do it."

Tami James, also of Decatur does not agree. "He should give Obama a chance. He shouldn't put him down. He should see how he does, and if he doesn't do good, then protest."

Townsend said he'd gotten his message across, and says the flag will not fly upside down again in front of his business.

He also said he's heard of all kinds of people that are jumping on board with the idea. He said nationwide, flags will be turning upside down.