Rag Flag Hangs From Local School

On today's celebration of our nation's independence, several veterans are upset about an american flag hanging in front of a local school. They say the flag looks more like a rag, and disgraces their services to our country.

Since today today is the Fourth of July , chances are you'll see a lot of flags hanging around the Tennessee Valley as american's show their patriotism, but at least one flag has some veterans outraged.

"This way, start it with a fold this way," Lee Tripp says as he folds an American flag.

Lee Tripp and his son, Steven, show us how to properly fold an American flag. Tripp served stateside for 16 years during the Veitnamn Era, and Steven just returned from a tour in Iraq. And with that service both say they're disgusted to pass this flag everyday.

"To see a flag in that condition shows a complete lack of respect for everything that I stood for 365 days last year," Steven says.

The flag hangs in shreds directly in front of East Lake Academy. Tripp says he first noticed the tatters three days ago on his way to the post office next to the school.

"It takes a period of time to shred a flag, it's not just done over night," Tripp says. "And for this flag to be flying at a school and kids seeing stuff like this what kind of example does that set for the kids?"

So we set out to get some answers but found the school's doors locked for the summer.

Next we called the school system spokesperson, Danielle Clark, who DID return our call.

"Okay I got in touch with Don Beard, he is the area superintendent over at East Lake, he was not aware that the flag is in tatters, he said if a veteran's group would like to formally retire it they are welcome to do so, and that on Monday he will begin processing the purchasing of a new flag," Clark says in a voicemail.

But Tripp says if they don't hang a new flag soon, he'll be more than happy to take matters into his own hands.

"I just hope that if they hadn't got the money I have I'd go buy a flag, matter of fact if it's not locked then I'll be happy to put it up myself," Tripp says.

Tripp says whenever any of his flags become wornout he simply takes the flag takes to his local fire department and let's them destroy the flag.