Legion agrees to remove American flag painting | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A piece of American flag art is coming down from the wall of the American Legion Boat and Canoe Club in Grand Rapids -- and it's making many of the members unhappy.

"We really love this piece," says Legion member Ron Kerr. "We respect this flag."

On Wednesday night, the board of the Legion post agreed to remove a flag painting from their bar even though it was created to honor veterans.

Artist Sherrie Coke painted an old 48-star American flag white and asked veterans to fill in the stars and stripes with thumb prints dipped in red and blue paint.

"I personally have my thumb print on it," says Kerr. "I was personally in Vietnam."

Coke entered the piece into ArtPrize and then accepted an offer to display her flag at the Legion Boat and Canoe Club.

But, by law and Legion code, old flags are supposed to be burned, not turned into art.

National American Legion commanders asked the Grand Rapids post to remove the art from their wall.

"The flag should not have been used in this artistic endeavor, no matter how good the intentions might have been," explained Legion district commander Peter Satterthwaite.

Coke periodically takes the flag out on speaking engagements to raise money for veteran causes.

"My intention certainly was not to desecrate the flag, it was to give it new life," she says. "To make a statement and show people all the sacrifices behind all of these prints. To get them thinking."

Under the law and Legion code, worn out flags should be destroyed in a "dignified way, preferably by burning."

"This painting is not in accordance with what we, as Legionaries, look at as the proper way to handle the flag," says Satterthwaite.

"It was to honor our veterans in a way they could participate," says Coke. "I understand what they are saying but, I proudly stand by that flag."

Leaders at the Legion Boat and Canoe Club say they may try for a waiver that would permit them to put the flag painting back on the wall.  They may also hang a big photograph of the painting, which might then be considered a picture of a flag and not a violation of the code.