Posted on 12/30/2004 8:09:18 AM PST by Ellesu
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers have changed their policy and no longer will fly U.S. flags at Lambeau Field at half-staff to honor members of the organization, as they did after the death of Reggie White.
White's death in North Carolina Sunday prompted team president Bob Harlan to order the flags lowered in his honor. White played for the Packers from 1993-98 and helped them to a Super Bowl championship.
Under the new policy announced Wednesday, the team said that when paying respect in such a case, it will lower a Packers flag, not the U.S. flag.
The U.S. Flag Code, which spells out rules of flag etiquette, states that the flag should only be flown at half-staff upon a directive from the president or governor and on Memorial Day, and it reserves the honor for government figures.
Tom Robinson, commander of Post 2126 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Menasha, and Ron Sager, of the Fox Valley Vietnam Veterans Association, had questioned the Packers' decision to lower the Lambeau flags to honor White, saying it should only be done when authorized by the government, as when honoring those killed in combat.
The Packers said Wednesday that the team has followed executive orders from the state in lowering the flags, as it did at a preseason game last summer to honor the families of troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But the team noted it also had lowered flags atop the stadium Sunday in memory of White and his contributions to the franchise and community, and the same had been done in the past in memory of Ray Nitschke, Don Hutson, Tony Canadeo and Mark Hatley, among others.
"During the past few days we have received much feedback on the topic. At the suggestion of many veterans, in the future when honoring a member of our organization, we will lower a Packers flag to half-staff," the team's statement said.
"We regret any misunderstandings and thank the veterans whose suggestions led to our new policy."
There should have been an executive order for lowering the flag to half staff in honor of Reggie White.......
Mr. Harlan had no authority to order when the American flag shall be lowered in mourning.
Think he found that out? ;)
why?
The Vets are correct. It's the thought that counts and the response to the Vets was handled by the Packers organization with class...
RIP Reggie and God Bless!
Agreed!
I think the rules of flag etiquette refer to flags being flown by the government, not flags flown on private property.
otherwise, the government could regulate US flag tattoos, jackets, etc.
It was a local event. It was not a nationwide event. Anyone can lower the flag to half-mast locally. This is a free country.
They are confusing the order to lower the flag nationally with a local issue. We are really becoming a bunch of lemmings in this country.
This is the Flag of the PEOPLE of the United States of America -- not the personal flag of the politicians and lawyers and judges. Or is it really the "admiralty flag"?
If the PEOPLE of a community wish to honor a fellow citizen or other honorable person by lowering the flag to half mast, they can do it.
I paid for that flag with my blood.
You should finish your coffee before thinking.
otherwise, the government could regulate US flag tattoos, jackets, etc.
The government didn't regulate this.
Anyone can burn it also, right! It is, afterall, a free country.
Sure. They can also fly it upside down or burn it at half-time. It is a free country.
Anyone can burn it also, right! It is, afterall, a free country.
I agree. A person has every right to burn the flag in protest - I reserve the right to .... a flag burner should expect what happens as a result of that.
There is no need for politicians - lawyers - judges.
Of many memories, my most fond memory of Reggie was his singing of Amazing Grace on the big screen during games. The recording would be played on a break when the Packers were on defense. The whole crowd and the opposing team would be caught in the moment. Many people would have tears in thier eyes because he sang the song from his heart. Some offensive linemen would note after the game that they would be in tears one moment and the next Reggie would give them his power rush (with the normal consequences).
Reggie also attended our church in Green Bay. He was a good man with a wonderful wife and family. He will be missed but I do know where he is right now and I know what he is singing.
Actually, it's part of US Code 36. It applies to everyone. The Packer organization did the right thing.
It was in a "public" stadium. Not private property.
As far as "This is a free country." goes, I'm sure the feds didn't swear out an arrest warrant on him or the Green Bay Packers.
Perhaps a read of the U.S. Flag Code would curtail your pontificating.
Then again, perhaps it wouldn't.
Cheesehead Ping!
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