Prior to Monday’s game, Adam Mourdock, an Army Veteran and Atlanta Braves season ticket holder, went to fly his American flag while tailgating as he normally does. But Mourdock’s routine was broken by a parking attendant (who later identified herself as the supervisor) who told him that raising the flag was not allowed.
“She said you need to take it down. It’s against the policy,” Mourdock said, via Aiyana Cristal of CBS 46. “There was no explanation, there was no policy in writing other than today that flag needs to come down. … I’m an Army veteran, I fought for the right for Americans to fly their flags, and for someone to tell you you can’t fly it at a baseball game, that’s not the right place.”
Cristal also noted that in fact, the Braves have no such policy and that the team has subsequently apologized to Mourdock. The entire incident has many wondering what the heck it was all about.
Pretty confused as to why the American flag had to be taken down from my friends' tailgate. @Braves & @SunTrustPark any answers? pic.twitter.com/xrvMnVqtie
— Haley Janas (@HaleyJanas) July 18, 2017
Through it all, Mourdock remained positive and said he respects the organization for what is has done for veterans.
“They treat vets with the up most respect. The way they treat people who have served our country is top notch. To be treated that way by one of their employees is not only offsetting, but it was disappointing,” he said.