PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) - A Confederate flag has been taken down from outside the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
The Virginian-Pilot reports that the flag, which has a different design than the Confederate battle flag, had flown over the shipyard in Portsmouth since 1967, alongside an American flag, a British flag and the flag of Virginia.
The controversial banner features the original flag design of the Confederacy, with seven stars representing the original states that seceded.
On Friday, following questions from the newspaper, a Naval spokeswoman said that Capt. Scott Brown ordered that all four flags be removed and placed in a museum.
Spokeswoman Terri Davis says the four flags had marked the shipyard's 248-year history, but times change.
On Sunday, a photo on the shipyard's Facebook page showed that all four flagpoles now feature American flags and this statement "We are America's Shipyard! United we stand under one flag."
NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD STATEMENT: (via Terri Davis)
"The Norfolk Naval Shipyard has a rich history dating back to 1767. Ship activity along our waterfront not only pre-dates the United States Navy but it also pre-dates our country itself. The flags at Gate 10 represented the four sovereign flags flown over the shipyard gates during its 248 -year history. The flags represent progress, progress in shipbuilding, progress in repair and progress in the defense of our country.
As time passes, things change, people change. Capt. Scott Brown, Shipyard Commander, made the decision to take all the flags down in the best interest of our workforce and the United States Navy. Our mission of safely repairing U.S. naval ships is forever evolving with new technical advancements. As such, we need to be open to change. Removing the flags from the gates doesn't diminish their historical significance but it does allow us to focus on successful execution of our mission."
