Ex-Marine Fired From Job for Lowering Flag on Memorial Day

A former Marine says he was fired from his contract job with Time Warner Cable in North Carolina after he lowered the American flag to half-staff on Memorial Day, the AP reports. According to the Charlotte Observer, Allen Thornwell, 29, was thinking about his best friend, a former Marine who he says killed himself two years ago after he returned stateside, when he lowered the flag. Thornwell was fired Tuesday. The placement service that arranged the job for Thornwell said Time Warner told them they were disturbed by what was termed "passion for the flag and (his) political affiliation." Thornwell said he remains in shock over his firing. A Time Warner Cable spokesperson confirmed Friday that the former Marine "was no longer under contract" with the company but declined further comment. (More Memorial Day stories.)