When you have multinational forces in the field and they all have the flag of their home nation on their shoulder, it not only identifies them as an ally, but what country they are representing. It is the quickest and easiest way to determine where they are from. It was and still is used as an initial ID even at night, thus the IR.
AN actual flag...yes I believe should be totally respectful and handled according to the pertinent codes. Likeness' however, things like shirts, bumper stickers, etc... are used like 99% with a patriotic intent and I don't have any problems with that being used. I think that soldiers that served and died were serving as much in honor of the spirit of what the flag stands for and I don't personally feel that spirit is supported by a country that would prosecute a citizen for wearing or using any items with the likeness of the national flag on it. That kinda goes against the idea of freedom and liberty for all in my mind.
The flag represents everything we as a country strand for. It's not a freaking decorations!!!!!!!! Especially when affixed to a military uniform. If you cannot understand the power of what the flag represents, then you represent why our country is doomed. People have become too complacent with the freedoms that the flag represents. They have forgotten what it took to establish this flag and what it has taken to maintain it. If you cannot show the flag it's proper respect, you don't deserve the freedoms it provides. Just my opinion, but that flag means a lot to me because I understand the sacrifices it has taken to establish it.
Tell me why the us army is the only branch in the us military that has a flag? It obviously serves no tactical purpose. I do understand and have read the link Iowa wrote. I do take pride in it, but to me it's no different than decoration as it serves no tactical purpose like the rest of the uniform. Ribbons are known are decorations on a uniform are they not?
Ribbons are on dress uniforms only, which are rarely warn. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
National Flags, Regimental Colors and unit guidons have been carried into battle it is believed since Egyptian times. They were fiercely guarded in battle and during the civil war the Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to men who captured the enemy's colors during battle. One of the purposes for the flag on the battle uniform is to be a constant reminder of whom you are fighting for; the other is tradition. Why do they fire 3 volleys at a military funeral? Tradition. Why do they drape the coffin of a deceased patriot with the flag? - Tradition. Why do they fold the flag the way they do before handing it over to the next of kin? - Tradition. Why do they play taps at funerals and at the end of the day? - Tradition. Why do they play the National Anthem at the beginning of sporting games? - Tradition. With each of the traditions there is a significance attached to it. If you cannot understand and appreciate that every thread in the flag has been paid for with the blood of many patriots who died for what it represents, you will never value the flag.
Total dodge skywalker. That did nothing to address the issue I presented. Both are military uniforms and simply at the crux, represent someone. Decorations on dress uniforms which I believe we're the same a whole back, served as something of pride as they do now, similar to the flag on the military uniform. Iowa. Trying to come full circle here, should we be mad or angry or find it disrespectful when others wear the flag as a decoration- which to them is an act of patriotism and pride, something to also symbolize the blood spilled, but not on a military uniform?
Honestly, I have no interest in having an internet argument with you. You have already proven to me that you cannot have a respectful discussion, so I couldn't care less about your opinions. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Chopayne - you are totally dodging what I have said. The flag is not a decoration, it is our national emblem. It is the standard for the country. The flag IS America. It is a living representation of everyone who has fought for America. Wearing a shirt with the representation of the flag is like wiping your dirty hands on it like it is nothing more than a dishrag. To soil a representation of the flag is the same as soiling the flag. Disrespect whether intentional or not is still disrespect. In August 2002, I was at a graveside ceremony where a Army Captain handed me a tri-folded flag and said "This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your father's honorable and faithful service. May God bless you and this family and God bless the United States of America." As I accepted the flag (while in my enlisted uniform), the Captain took one step back and then saluted the flag cradled in my arms. There must have been an irritant in the air as my eyes welled up with tears, because Senior Non-Commissioned Officers don't have emotions. In 2006, the Command Chief Master Sergeant entered the office where I was working and told me to report to work the next day in my dress uniform. When I inquired as to why I would need to do that, he said I was one of the ones chosen by the squadron commanders in the wing to pull a special assignment. The next day "Flags of Our Fathers" was debuting at the local theater and the theater was opening up at Noon for a special showing for several local WWII veterans who had fought for Iwo Jima. I requested that the Command Chief pass the honor to one of my young airman as I felt it would be a good experience for them, but the request was denied. The next day we met up with the World War II veterans who were in their 80's and had time to BS with them before the show. The Marine I was escorting laughed and joked about how he enjoyed all the Clint Eastwood shoot 'em up movies and any movie that let him watch some good old boys give a good one to the (insert derogatory term for Japanese here) was going to be fun for him to watch. As the movie started the theater fell quiet. Soon, there were tears streaming down the faces of the men who had been there. When the flag was raised, that frail old marine mumbled "That's why I am here today." He went on to tell me about when the marines saw the first flag (there were two and the famous photograph is from the second) go up, even wounded marines like himself wanted back in the fight so America would not be let down by them. It was about this time I figured out that there must be something in the air here too because I found myself fighting back tears. When the movie was over, that Marine told me that when he came home after the war, people back home started calling him and other veterans "hero". He said "we were just a bunch of scared kids who knew we had to go off and teach those **********s a lesson. We did it for God, Country and Flag." He went on to tell me that his commander had given each one of his unit a small US flag that had been raised on Mt Suribachi, and he still has his flag hanging above his headboard so he can sleep at night without the nightmares. In 2007, Glenn McDole who was a personal friend and a POW in the Philippines went fishing with me. We stopped at a convenience store to get water and when I came out he was lecturing a biker who had a bandana on that looked like the US flag. When this 80+ year old man got done, the biker removed the bandana, folded it up and put it inside his jacket. He then apologized for being disrespectful to Glenn. I thought to myself "Only Glenn could get away with that." When you can understand and appreciate this sentiment, then you will understand that the flag is not a "decoration".
yes if you would certainly take a history lesson I would've been more inclined to respect your opinions. As that is what was presented preciously, not facts. anyways moving on
And it's about time you take your own history lesson on the importance of the American flag because you are talking out of your *** on this one. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Here is what I don't understand. Why do the Army ACUs require a flag, when no other service does? It serves no purpose other than maybe someone looking down at the flag (if it hasn't been torn off because of the velcro) getting this sense of patriotism in the heat of battle. Why is it that the Army needs a reminder like that when no other service does? I believe the OPs original question was, do you get offended if someone wears the flag? Obviously this is not verbatim. My thing is, if someone wants to express their patriotism or love of this country by adorning the flag as a decoration, wrapping themselves around it, or whatever, short of stomping, burning, or raising it upside down, I see nothing wrong with that. What you see in that flag, is something they also see, and probably out of ignorance or deliberate ignorance, they choose to express it in different manners. You are correct, disrespect is disrespect intentional or unintentional. We use the code/law to stand behind this respect for the flag. We do it, because we agree with it, but why is it that we want to have such strict adherence to this code, but not the laws we don't believe in?
Have you ever served with LE or Military? Judging by your lack of military history or even this issue, im going to say you probably never did. Anyways you're going on ignore.
