D.C. Residents Push For D.C. Flags At Military Ceremonies

D.C. residents are asking U.S. senators to support a provision allowing the District's flag to be flown at military ceremonies honoring D.C. service members. 

When District resident Tomi Rucker attended her son's graduation from basic training in the U.S. Navy, she was touched watching families cheer as each graduate's home state flag dipped in their honor. She was astonished by what followed. 

"So I'm waiting for my moment and it never comes. And then I find out at the end of graduation that recruits from Washington, D.C. are not recognized, because they re from D.C. So a D.C. flag is not flown in recognition of their service," she says.

The Defense Authorization bill could change that. It's passed both chambers of Congress but only the House version would let D.C. and territorial flags fly at military ceremonies. Retired Army Col. Herb Tillery says the current policy is a slap in the face to D.C. veterans. 

"It s a personal affront. It s just a personal affront," Tillery says.

The group of unofficial lobbyists plan to keep pressing the issue with senators in the coming days. Even if senators refuse to change the policy, they say there's still hope because President Obama can change the practice with an executive order.