Dozens of American flags decorated Veterans Park in Brownsville, as the city honored the work of past and current Valley soldiers.
"Memorial Day is a very special day,” David Barrera said among sobs. “We know what it’s for. I lost a lot of friends during the Korean War."
It came as a surprise to many Veterans and citizens alike when they saw Brownsville Mayor Pat Ahumada's shirt, a black Harley Davidson button up with a Mexican flag on the left arm.
A number of veterans approached the Action 4 News crew during the ceremony.
Many did not want to go on camera, but they said they felt the choice of the mayor to wear that shirt was offensive to them, especially during Memorial Day.
"To see the mayor have a flag that is Mexico, I think that he's telling us what? Actually he should be in Mexico and it is embarrassing," said Martha Shears, the wife of a 32-year veteran of the armed forces.
Action 4 News asked Mayor Ahumada about the shirt shortly after the conclusion of the ceremony.
"Protocol is that if you wear it in the right its disrespect,” he said, pointing out the fact that it was in his left arm and not the right. “This has to do with a motorcycle club I'm going to ride with after this parade."
He added that it was not his intention to offend anyone, but that his patriotism is unquestionable.
"I'm an American. I'm a patriot. I love my country. I serve my city," he concluded.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT