A Wave & Nod To The President Leads To Suspension

CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio firefighter has been suspended from his role in a pipes and drums group for giving President Barack Obama a quick nod during last week's inaugural parade in Washington D.C.

Video shows Drum Major John Coleman giving the nod along with a fleeting wave as the Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial Pipes & Drums marched past the president.

Bandleader Pipe Major Mike Engle says Coleman, a Cleveland Heights firefighter, violated the proper decorum required of a military parade.

Engle says other pipe bands complained about the behavior. Coleman has been suspended for six months.

Coleman says Obama smiled and waved and that he was just acknowledging the president.