Charlotte Marine veteran Allen Thornwell, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, was fired by Time Warner Cable for lowering the company’s flag to half-staff on Memorial Day. Thornwell was employed in technical support after serving as a radio operator in the Marine Corps from 2005-2014.
A manager at the veterans placement company who arranged the job for Thornwell said Thornwell’s “passion for the flag and political affiliation” disturbed Time Warner. The company confirmed to the Charlotte Observer Thornwell was “no longer under contract” but declined any further comment.
In response to the incident Thornwell told the paper:
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
I’m not even mad right now. I don’t know what kind of moral compass you need to fire a veteran on Memorial Day for lowering the flag.
Thornwell arrived at the company on Memorial Day and noticed the flag flying at full-staff. After lowering the flag unprompted, he was approached by a security guard who reportedly told him “it’s company policy that nobody touches the flag pole.” The security guard even sympathized with Thornwell reportedly telling him “I fought, I understand.”
The U.S. Flag Code advises the flag should be at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day before being returned to its proper position. Thornwell told reporters that he regrets not obtaining permission, but added,“I didn’t think of it as the property of Time Warner Cable. It’s everybody’s flag.”
The next morning before departing for the office, Thornwell received a call from his placement manager asking him what had happened and explained that his contract had been canceled by Time Warner Cable.
This report, by Saagar Enjeti, was cross-posted by arrangement with the Daily Caller News Foundation.
