Disabled veteran flies U.S. flag upside down to protest #shutdown

Others across the nation chose to express their frustration in a similar way.

Storified by AJAMStream· Wed, Oct 02 2013 13:11:36

Local Indianapolis television station RTV6 shared a photo of Lohman standing with his flag:

A disabled veteran expresses #shutdown displeasure by flying upside down flag -- http://bit.ly/1c1nRY1 http://twitter.com/rtv6/status/385121439226920960/photo/1RTV6 Indianapolis

Holding a country's flag upside down has long been recognized as a distress signal.

After seeing photos of Lohman's one-man protest, some veterans online criticized his actions:

@WTHRcom disrespectful. I am a disabled veteran and it think the @USMC will not be happy with this publicity.chris csenar

@WTHRcom we take an oath to support and defend the Constitution and this "devil dog" wants to defy our flag? Bad form Marine!chris csenar

@rtv6 And I bet he blames the Democrats. I'm a Vet and I have more respect than that for our country, our flag, and our President. DrTony Van Pelt Phd

One person serving the military supported Lohman's decision:

I am in the Military. That is not disrespecting the flag. I'd do it myself if I had one outside my house. I know I literally fought for my freedom to turn it upside down. I also earned all my government benefits along woth thousands of others that are currently stopped because of this nonsense. If you disagree please feel free to pay my rent and feed my child.Ashley Keddell

The corporal was not the only one to flip his flag after news of a government shutdown. The feeling of distress was shared by some citizens from across the nation.

Wisconsin:

A WI man is flying his flag upside down b/c he says our country is in distress. A balanced look on #Newsline9 at 10 http://twitter.com/CVinch_WAOW/status/385235936356737025/photo/1Cassandra Vinch

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:

My flag will fly upside down, in protest forRepublicans shutting down the government http://twitpic.com/dfn7zdAnne Jackson

Council Bluffs, Iowa:

Just out my office, the #CouncilBluffs post office and courthouse had its flag upside-down earlier before fixing it. http://twitter.com/jschreier18/status/385167856742068225/photo/1John Schreier

Massachusetts:

I'll keep my American flag upside down until the government shuts on again! #UnCertainTimes w/ @cie_amherstinstagram.com

What do you think about the disabled veteran's actions? Leave a comment below.