During the November 29 to December 4, 1999, protests against the World Trade Organization (WTO), John Goodman of Spokane, Washington, traveled to Seattle to participate in what he thought would be a peaceful protest. In a patriotic turnabout, the Legionnaire himself (Spokane American Legion Post 110) became the object of the protestors' jeers.

The Vietnam veteran and longtime United Steelworkers Union member willingly participated in the demonstration march along with 1,000 fellow steelworkers. He endured tear gas, rubber bullets, and clubs. But he believed the protesters got too caught up in the spirit of the march and, ultimately, went too far.

During the march, Goodman witnessed a group rip down an American flag from a jail courtyard pole. When he overheard them discussing the proposition of burning the flag or flying it upside down, he decided to listen to his heart, do the patriotic thing, and intervene before any harm could befall the "Stars and Stripes." Goodman lived up to his namesake and pulled "Old Glory" from their hands, saying, "This flag is going back up the way it came down!"

"Big John" was not intimidated when he changed from protestor to the one being protested against. The angry protestors attempted to snatch back their stolen prize, but the 6'2" Goodman stood tall and refused to hand over the flag. "I made four trips to Vietnam. A lot of people I know personally gave their lives for that flag," Goodman told the Spokane Spokesman–Review. "It's a piece of cloth, but it stands for and symbolizes a lot more."

To honor Goodman's compassionate effort, the King County Sheriffs Office decommissioned the flag, brought it down, and framed it. During a formal presentation, they awarded Goodman and the United Steelworkers Union the flag and a plaque noting their patriotic actions on the occasion. "I am honored that they thought enough of me to do that," said Goodman. "But let me tell you something—that flag stands for freedom. That's what we're standing for."

Goodman sees no irony in protesting the WTO and protecting the flag in the same day. He believes the flag represents the freedom all Americans enjoy. Along with protesting against the WTO, Goodman has marched against logging companies in northern California and believes in the power of nonviolent protests and exercising First Amendment rights. What he doesn't believe in, though, is harming the United States flag as an exercise of free speech. "That is just wrong."