A dispute over Pride flags and veterans' tribute banners has sparked controversy in a Long Island village after officials removed some Pride flags following complaints about their placement alongside banners honoring local military veterans.Northport Mayor Donna Koch said she had the Pride flags removed after concerns were shared by the Northport American Legion over the Pride flags being displayed above "Hometown Heroes" banners honoring veterans, CBS News reported."I had the Pride flags removed.It had nothing to do with my feelings about the Pride community.
I support them 100%.I also support our veterans," Koch said.SCHUMER PUSHES BILL TO GIVE PRIDE FLAG SAME STATUS AS US, MILITARY FLAGSPride flags are held at the Tennessee Capitol, Jan.
22, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)ABC’s Eyewitness News reported Monday that American Legion Commander William McKenna told the outlet, "They were putting the pride banners above my veterans, and that does not work, sorry.""If you put a pride flag by one of my veterans, I'm taking every one of them down," McKenna said.ABC’s Eyewitness News reported that McKenna sent a letter to Koch and the village board which said, in part, "The concern being expressed is not at the pride flags themselves, nor is it intended to diminish the importance of recognizing any group within our community.Rather, many veterans and families feel that placing another banner above the veterans' banners diminishes the recognition and prominence that was originally intended for those who served our country."PITTSBURGH LGBTQ PRIDE PARADE IN JEOPARDY AFTER CORPORATE SPONSORS PULL FUNDINGRainbow pride flag hanging from a building facade on a clear sunny day, San Francisco, Calif., Dec.
4, 2025 (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)Jeff Cusick, treasurer for Northport Pridefest, called the situation "very offensive" in a quote published by CBS News."We love and support our vets, but the Hometown Heroes program was apparent...