LATROBE, PA. -- There's a flap over a flag in Westmoreland County. Folks there are up in arms because a popular beverage company is flying a Christian flag above the American flag. United States code states the American flag always comes first on the flag pole.

Greg Podlucky, the owner of the Le-Nature's beverage company, has been flying the flag for months now, irritating some residents.

"Nothing flies above the American flag," said veteran Dick Johnston. "But this guy just don't want to cooperate with us."

"In my estimation, it's a contempt for the city of Latrobe and contempt for any citizen," said Steve Semnisky. "He's doing it and he knows that it's not right and why he won't change it.I have no idea. It's sad."

According to title four of the U.S. code, no flag or pennant can be flown above the U.S. flag. But there are two exceptions.

The church pennant can be flown above the American flag, but only during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea.

And the United Nations flag can be flown above Old Glory at the UN headquarters in New York.

If someone violates the code, the flag federation says there are no penalties. It was simply adopted back in 1942 as a guideline of how to hang the stars and stripes.

The American Legion has tried to convince Podlucky to switch the flags, but Podlucky reportedly said it's "God over country."

"That's a fine statement to make," Seminsky said. "But that gives no one the right to fly the flag above the United States flag."

Semnisky said he and his family now plan to boycott Le-Nature's, and many others in Latrobe have said they'll do the same.

Podlucky returned WTAE's calls for comment Thursday. He said the inspiration for the flag flying was initiated by a bible distributed by President Roosevelt right before World War II. He said in that bible, there's a picture of the U.S. flag being flown under the Christian flag.

Podlucky also added that he in no way meant to offend anyone