HIGGINSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Confederate battle flags flew again Sunday over graves of about 700 Southern soldiers and wives at a historic site in Missouri where the flag was abruptly ordered down in January.
The battle flag is still absent from the main pole at the Confederate Memorial State Historic Site, under orders from the state.
But volunteers — with state approval — placed smaller flags on all of the graves May 24.
A park administrator said the smaller flags flew without complaint or incident through Sunday's observation of Confederate Memorial Day.
"What does that tell you? Anyone coming to a Confederate memorial site would expect to see a Confederate flag, and it is being flown in tribute to brave soldiers and in its proper context," said Gene Dressel, commander of the Missouri Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans.