Beach Co. reversing its anti-flag position

The Beach Co. appears ready to change its stance on letting the U.S. and POW/MIA flags fly outside a downtown Charleston bar.

Company officials issued a news release saying they were apologizing “for the misunderstanding pertaining to the display of flags at our property.”

The note came in reference to its decision last month ordering the Chucktown Tavern to remove the two banners from flag poles outside its Market Street business, so that the company’s all-green banners could go back up.

The Post and Courier broke the story of the flag removal earlier this week. Afterward numerous calls and e-mails of support came in for the downtown eatery by readers calling the flag display a symbol of patriotism.

The Beach Co. note said that as of now, the company only has approval from the city of Charleston to fly solid green and red banners at the location. But because of the controversy, the company says it will expedite a formal application to the city’s Board of Architectural Review to allow other flags to be displayed.

“Furthermore, it has been brought to our attention that a South Carolina law was passed in 2002 to allow the American flag to fly regardless of existing zoning laws,” the message also said. “This being the case, an American flag will be raised and flown on each flag pole next week.”

Tavern owner Marty Young said Saturday the change of heart by the company is good news.

“We’re real excited about the whole thing,” he said.

The hope is that a flag-raising ceremony coincides with the return of the patriotic banners, Young added.

The company’s note closed by saying “Finally, and most importantly, we have the utmost respect and honor for our country and its veterans or those military personnel taken as prisoners of war (POW’s) or listed as missing in action (MIA’s). We are proud Americans who salute our Armed Forces heroes.”