NY Firefighters Forced to Remove Flags From Trucks

There's a flag fiasco in Upstate New York after firefighters were ordered to remove Old Glory from their fire trucks.

The Arlington Fire Department was forced to take down 3 American flags flying on the back of their trucks because the District board felt the flags were a 'liability' according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

The issue has caught national attention and is even trending on Facebook this morning, as it should. Why is the American flag a controversy? Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and even God have been banned to avoid offending anyone, but the flag is where the line should be drawn! It's a symbol of this country. If you don't like the flag, don't live here.

Arlington Firefighters Union President Joseph Tarquinio tells the Poughkeepsie Journal he wasn't at the meeting when the board voted 3 to 2 to have the flags removed and he's disappointed with the decision.

"I think at a time when the country needs unity, to do something like this is next to flag burning, in my mind. It crosses political lines. It crosses moral lines, religious lines. It's the flag of this country. That's it. I'm glad there's an outcry. All I'm concerned about it making sure we can get the flags back on the rigs. If there's backlash, so be it."

The Hughsonville Fire Department isn't happy with the decision either and are doing what the Arlington Fire Department can't; flying the flags on their trucks. "This flag will fly proudly in honor of those who want to fly it, but are being ordered not to. We stand with our brothers in the Arlington Fire Department in support of flying the American flag. ‪#‎45Pride‬" the department wrote on Facebook.

The flag photo was posted on Facebook with a quote from Toby Keith. "Never apologize for being patriotic..."

Arlington Fire Chief Tony Gallante is hoping the board will reconsider after seeing all the backlash from having the flags removed.

District officials will meet today to find a solution to the flag fiasco.