An inexperienced priest on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota said he inadvertently removed the U.S. flag from the caskets of Indian veterans.

Rev. Timothy Manatt, who has only been on the reservation for about a year, offended tribal members by removing the flag. He said he was relying on outdated seminary training.

After meeting with Rosebud veterans, Manatt said he recognized the importance of leaving the flag on the casket. The church has long allowed Lakota star quilts to be used during funeral services.

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American flag to go back on Native American veterans' caskets (The Rapid City Journal 6/25)