Rep. Zeldin Leads 20 Member Call for the Policy Banning the Carrying of U.S. Flags at Arlington National Cemetery to be Reversed

WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, January 30, 2019, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) was joined by 20 Members of Congress in requesting that Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery Katherine Kelley and Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper allow American flags to be displayed in Arlington National Cemetery. Currently, no flags of any kind may be displayed inside Arlington National Cemetery under the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act of 2006 which, in an attempt to terminate the repugnant protests taking place at fallen service members’ funerals, banned all flags, banners and placards of any kind, which unlike other national cemeteries throughout the country, Arlington National Cemetery interpreted to include the prohibition of American flags. Although there is nothing disrespectful about displaying an American flag, Arlington National Cemetery visitors wishing to do so must undergo a burdensome, unreasonable pre-approval process to display the flag.

“In 2006, the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act was signed into law in an attempt to terminate the repugnant protests taking place at fallen service members’ funerals. Ironically, in the struggle to abolish disrespectful behavior within the cemetery, this policy has also prevented the way many Americans instinctively honor and remember our veterans - by proudly waving our American flag,” the Members wrote. “We strongly urge you to promptly revise cemetery policy and to lift the ban on visitors displaying the U.S. flag. Disrespectful behavior of any kind, including demonstrations at funerals can and must remain banned while restoring the right of proud Americans to display our nation’s flag when they visit one of our country’s most sacred sites.”

A signed PDF of the letter is available here.

A full text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Secretary Esper and Superintendent Kelley,
 
As proud Americans and Members of Congress, we believe the true intent of Congress has been muddled by the current policy banning the display of American flags by visitors at Arlington National Cemetery. It has come to our attention that under current policy, visitors at Arlington National Cemetery, including veterans and veteran families, are prohibited from carrying our American flag when they visit Arlington. This particular ban must be lifted immediately, especially at a national cemetery of all places. If a visitor to Arlington wishes to carry an American flag, they should be permitted to do so and without any requirement to request prior approval.

In 2006, the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act was signed into law in an attempt to terminate the repugnant protests taking place at fallen service members’ funerals. Ironically, in the struggle to abolish disrespectful behavior within the cemetery, this policy has also prevented the way many Americans instinctively honor and remember our veterans - by proudly waving our American flag. We strongly urge you to promptly revise cemetery policy and to lift the ban on visitors displaying the U.S. flag. Disrespectful behavior of any kind, including demonstrations at funerals can and must remain banned while restoring the right of proud Americans to display our nation’s flag when they visit one of our country’s most sacred sites.

Arlington National Cemetery as you both well know serves as a shrine for more than 400,000 former service members and their families, who have honorably served our nation during times of war and peace. In honoring these service members, the cemetery has grown to one of our nation’s largest symbols of patriotism and commitment to our great country.

Perhaps the most recognized symbol of the American spirit, freedom, democracy and all that our Founding Fathers fought relentlessly to achieve, is our American flag. Old Glory, however, remains a prohibited item for visitors of Arlington National Cemetery. As a nation and as proud citizens, we owe it to each and every service member interred at Arlington to promptly revise this policy.
 

Sincerely,

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1)

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R, TX-1)

Rep. Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (R, AZ-4)

Rep. Mark Meadows (R, NC-11)

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R, FL-1)

Rep. Bill Posey (R, FL-8)

Rep. Bradley Byrne (R, AL-1)

Rep. John Moolenaar (R, MI-4)

Rep. Peter King (R, NY-2)

Rep. David Rouzer (R, NC-7)

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R, GA-11)

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R, WI-6)

Rep. Scott Tipton (R, CO-3)

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-1)

Rep. Greg Gianforte (R, MT-At Large)

Rep. Ralph Norman (R, SC-5)

Rep. Jeff Duncan (R, SC-3),

Rep. Randy Weber (R, TX-14)

Rep. Tim Walberg (R, MI-7)

Rep. Denver Lee Riggleman III (R, VA-5)

Rep. Tom Cole (R, OK-4)