The National Park Service (NPS) has refuted allegations that officials at Denali National Park gave orders to a construction crew to refrain from flying the American flag during Memorial Day weekend.
According to a report from Alaska Watchman, a conservative news outlet, an anonymous construction worker claims that a crew working on a 475-foot-long bridge at the park was allegedly told they could no longer fly the American flag from their trucks or heavy equipment.
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Republican Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan recently took action regarding a controversial claim made by the NPS director. In a letter addressed to the director, Senator Sullivan demanded both an explanation for the claim and an investigation into the alleged incident.
“This is absolutely unacceptable, especially when considering the approaching Memorial Day, our nation’s most solemn holiday. It is a time for Americans to unite and pay tribute to the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our country, proudly displaying our flag. Instead, federal government employees are censoring our beloved American flag, tarnishing the spirit of Memorial Day weekend. The flag should be celebrated, not silenced.”
Sullivan, who posted a copy of the letter on X (formerly Twitter), stated that he could not think of any federal regulation or law that would prohibit the display of the American flag on public land.
“It is absolutely ridiculous and goes against any reasonable thinking that a federal contractor, who is working on a project funded by American taxpayers, in a National Park, is not allowed to display the American flag. It is beyond my comprehension that there could be a federal law or regulation that enforces such a restriction,” he concluded in his letter.
The NPS issued a statement on Sunday, denying the report and categorizing the claims as “false.”
The statement clarified that the NPS officials never attempted to prohibit the display of the American flag on the project site or associated vehicles. It emphasized that the NPS does not oversee the bridge project contract or have the power to enforce any terms or policies related to the contract or the contractors involved in the work.
“The American flag is proudly displayed at various locations within Denali National Park. It can be seen at park facilities, campsites, public and private vehicles, as well as employee residences. We warmly welcome the display of the American flag not only on Memorial Day weekend but every single day.”
