DUBLIN, Ga. — A Central Georgia Sons of Confederate Veterans group is protesting because they say they've been banned from holding events at Dublin's VA hospital.
But the VA says the group's Confederate flags aren't the only problem.
They say the group also can't bring firearms and Nazi regalia to the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center.
By email, director David Whitmer said, "These are the same rules and regulations that apply to all groups holding events on the Dublin VAMC campus.”
John Hall, head of the Dublin Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter, said his group holds a cookout each September for veterans at the Dublin hospital, featuring food, music and more.
Last week, he said, Whitmer called him in to say they couldn't hold an event this year.
"He said the flag was the problem and our motorcycle-affiliated group," said Hall.
He called the ban "outrageous."
Whitmer's full statement: “Dublin VA Medical Center simply informed the Sons of Confederate Veterans that in order to continue having its event on the Dublin VAMC campus, it must obey federal laws that prohibit weapons on VA property and refrain from displaying Confederate symbols, the German Iron Cross, or other World War II-era German symbols. These are the same rules and regulations that apply to all groups holding events on the Dublin VAMC campus.”
By email, VA spokesman Scott Whittington said they spoke to Hall after "Veterans and staff members brought their concerns to the facility’s leadership."
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