LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Arkansas’ entire delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives penned a letter Tuesday urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to remove the LGBTQ+ Pride flag from their facilities.
In the letter, addressed to Secretary Denis McDonough, 31 U.S. House members – including all four Arkansas representatives – urge the secretary to address the concerns they have about how the rainbow flag is being displayed and how it impacts “other symbols of our nation and the commitment we have made to our veterans.”
The Republican House members said they were specifically concerned about the flags being flown at the expense of “traditional” flags.
“VA’s policy appropriately states no flag may be displayed on VA cemetery property ‘as a means for political activity or to promote any particular viewpoint or ideology’,” the letter read. “I am sure you would agree with us that the Pride flag is viewed by many, including numerous veterans our offices have engaged with as a political symbol reflective of a social movement and represents only one group of Americans.”
The representatives argued that VA facilities didn’t fly other special interest flags for other prominent months like Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, or Hispanic Heritage in September. A search online didn’t pull up any widely accepted flags for these months.
“Veterans who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing,” the letter continued. “These men and women were apolitical when they served our country, and we should strive to provide them an apolitical VA when they seek the care, benefits, and services that they have earned.”
Rep. Bruce Westerman, AR-04, said he’s heard from many veterans in Arkansas who are offended by the actions of the VA.
“I do not take disrespect to veterans lightly, so I spoke directly to Secretary McDonough on the phone on Friday evening,” Westerman said in a news release. “I shared my disappointment in his decision to encourage the pride flag be flown alongside Old Glory.”
The southwest Arkansas congressman said McDonough and the VA should focus on serving America’s veterans and not push any outside political agenda.
“I don’t want to see any flag at the VA other than the American flag, the state flag, flags for armed services or POW/MIA,” the congressman told our content partner 40/29 News.
McDonough tweeted last week his support of the LGBTQ+ community who bravely served in the U.S. military.
“Happy Pride to LGBTQ+ Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors,” the secretary said. “Your service, your sacrifice – even in the face of discrimination – will never be forgotten.”
In a statement to 40/29 News, the VA facility in Fayetteville echoed McDonough’s statements.
“VA facilities fly the flag as a symbol of the VA’s commitment to inclusion and as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of LGBTQ+ veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors,” the said.
Concluding the letter, which included signatures from Reps. Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene, the congressional leaders gave a deadline for McDonough to provide an explanation for how the VA intends to ensure none of its facilities violates its own policy of allowing flags that promote politics or any other particular viewpoint.
That deadline is June 16.
“We appreciate your prompt attention and assistance with this matter,” they said.
