Local World War II vets appalled at Nazi, white supremacist rallies

Some local World War II veterans are in disbelief that there are white supremacists and members of the KKK and neo-Nazis rallying in American streets in 2017.

They say America already fought a war against Nazis and the past few days have been surreal.

World War II veteran Marshall Harris raises the flag outside his Denton home daily.

"It goes up and down every morning,” Harris said.

The Marine was on Iwo Jima for perhaps the most famous raising of the American flag. The world has come a long way since 1945, but then Harris saw the images from Charlottesville -- white supremacists and neo-Nazis carrying torches.

"I feel sorry for them. I really do,” Harris said. “Their minds have gone some direction, some totally wrong direction."

When Harris sees the swastika, he sees the enemy. He calls the Unite the Right rally sickening, and so do other vets.

"I can't believe it's happening. The Nazi party was in Germany,” said WWII vet Henry Beckham. "That'd be like saying Hitler is marching down Pennsylvania Avenue."

Beckham, who lives in Fate, was an Army Air Force sergeant during World War II. He said the rally in Virginia is offensive to him and his generation.

"No color of your skin makes any difference. And I say to all of them, 'Go home and enjoy peace and tranquility in this great nation of ours,’” Beckham said.

Harris said our difference are much smaller than what unites us.

"No matter what nationality or what color, if you're Indian or black or gray or whatever you are, you know, that heart inside is beating and it's red,” Harris said. “Doesn't make a difference what color your skin is on the outside."