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Naked patriot was protesting the war
Published August 12, 2006
FORT PAYNE — A Hammondville man recently arrested for walking naked along the highway while waving an American flag claims he did so as a protest against the war in Iraq.
The DeKalb County sheriff’s deputies arrested Gerald Lynn Kelley, 52 of Hammondville, on July 30 on charges of public lewdness.
Kelley, who said he’s a Vietnam-era veteran, said he supports American troops “100 percent” but said he and others were watching a news broadcast about Iraq during a gathering at his home.
He said the conversation turned to the war.
“We started discussing the issue. I know it’s a touchy subject, but I’ve often thought patriots in this country should challenge (President) Bush on the issue,” Kelley said.
Ultimately, he said he decided to streak while marching down the highway in nothing but a hat and cowboy boots, while carrying the flag with him.
“My dad told me years ago if you’ve got a stubborn mule, you’ve got to hit him across the head with a 2-by-4 in order to get his attention,” Kelley said.
Kelley admits that he and others at the gathering had been drinking, but said he wasn’t intoxicated when he decided upon his course of action.
Kelley’s home is on U.S. 11, just inside the Hammondville town limits.
He said he only marched just beyond the end of his driveway, but it was enough to draw attention.
DeKalb County Deputy Mike James earlier said deputies were sent to Kelley’s home after receiving a number of calls about two men walking nude along the highway.
Kelley wouldn’t comment on anyone else’s involvement in the streaking incident.
He also said he doesn’t plan to take the same course of action again, nor does he encourage others to do so.
“I support our troops 100 percent, but every time you turn on the television there’s talk about the war — I think we’ve accomplished what we set out to do over there, and now it’s time to come home,” Kelley said.
“Our youth are getting killed over there every day and those that are coming home are coming back maimed, or damaged either physically or mentally. It’s senseless.”
Kelley praised the sheriff’s deputies for the way they handled the situation.
“They were very professional, and I understand they were just doing their job.
“What I did was a violation of the law, and I realize that,” he said.
He said his only regret is that, on the day he chose to streak, there was a church event going on at a nearby park.
He noted he marched in the opposite direction.
Kelley said his goal, at this point, is to use the attention being focused on the streaking incident as a “lightning rod to challenge U.S. patriots to get on the bandwagon and stand up and speak out against the war.”
Kelley is currently free from jail on $1,500 bond.
E-mail Mark Harrison at mharrison(at)times-journal.com.
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