EARTH, TEXAS -- Master Gunnery Sgt. Ishmael Castillo returned from his fourth overseas tour to find an American flag torn to pieces, marking the property line of a home in Earth, Texas.
Castillo noticed the flags when he went to visit his aunt, and he immediately began making calls in hopes of getting the word out.
"I think it's a disgrace to our country," he stated. "We're out there fighting for our country and that flag, when we march into battle, that's our beacon of hope. And when Americans do things like that, I just want to bring awareness to the people that there are ways to retire a flag that's worn."
Chapter 1, Title 4 of the United States Code establishes advisory rules in relevance to displaying and caring for the America flag. Chapter 33, Title 18 states the penalties for desecration of the stars and stripes, which include fines and imprisonment.
Pronews 7 knocked on Property Owner Robert Johnson's door. He did not answer, but did call the police. Pronews 7 then returned to the property next door. A few minutes later, Earth Police Officer Casarez walked next door and said Johnson wanted the media arrested.
Casarez returned to Johnson's property about 15 minutes later to take photos of the property line markers, and then issued Johnson a citation for breaking the law. Johnson then removed the pieces from his property.
According to Casarez, the citation will be passed on to the Lamb County District Attorney, who will have the option of charging Johnson with a Class-C misdemeanor or increasing the charge to a Class-A misdemeanor. Casarez is currently accepting statements from people who saw pieces of the flag before they were removed and were offended by it.
Castillo approached Johnson as he was removing the ripped star spangled banner and offered to properly dispose of the it. Johnson refused to hand it over.
"What you suspect to be defamation of the flag is not," he stated. "It'll be challenged. Put it on record."
Castillo is not the only veteran who objects to Johnson's actions.
"I disagree with defacing the flag of our country and it's sad that people do that," Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Jack Barnes added. "I just can't understand why anybody would want to disregard the flag in that manner because, you know, it's our nation's symbol."
Castillo said he felt it was his job as a Marine to bring the issue to light, not only to get Johnson to remove the flag remnants but to spread awareness about the laws regarding the red, white and blue.
"Tell this to the mothers, the fathers, the children, the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our country and our flag that this is the proper disposal or use of the American flag."
Federal law requires the American flag to be disposed of with dignity, and Castillo offered some advice about how to do that.
"You can give it to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, to your local VFW chapter and they can dispose of the flag properly."
Click here for more information about the United States Code and flag etiquette.
