Cleveland firefighter suspended for winking at President Obama

Washington, Jan.27 (ANI): A Cleveland fire fighter band member John Coleman's acknowledgement of President Barack Obama's wave during the inaugural parade, has not sat well with his superiors, and has landed him with a six week-long suspension.

"He waved and I just gave him a wave and a little nod and moved on," claimed Coleman, a member of the Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial Pipes and Drums.

What may seem as a small patriotic gesture and also included what seemed like a wink - did not sit well with Coleman's superiors.

According to Politico, they made him face the music with a six-month suspension from his drum major duties.

"We had gone over and over time and again with everyone in the band that this was a military parade. Protocol and proper decorum had to be followed at all times," bandleader Pipe Major Mike Engle told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"Unfortunately, John chose to ignore that."

Coleman insisted he abided by the rules.

"I was told it's a military parade and I'm not to salute the President and I did not salute," he said. (ANI)