Baltimore County Fire Defends Recruits Who Didn’t Salute Flag

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — In a photo shared by a follower to the Baltimore County Fire Department’s Facebook page, a handful of recruits participating in the department’s 113th Recruit Class graduation ceremony appeared to stand but not salute the American flag during the National Anthem. While this caused some controversy on the page, the department is now defending the three recruits.

The department said in a separate Facebook post it is aware of the concerns; however, the reason three recruits stood but did not salute the flag was because they are Jehovah’s Witnesses, a faith that prohibits displays of national allegiance.

The department went on to say it respects members of all faiths, as well as the Constitutional right to free speech.