Part of our history, just like this one.
Posted on 06/13/2005 4:41:07 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
VERBENA (AP) — A huge Confederate battle flag flying over Interstate 65 north of Montgomery will become a permanent fixture, according to officials with the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The organization bought land on the side of the interstate near Verbena and put up the flag, which has been flying for several months above the tree lines from the top of a large pole, easily visible from the heavily traveled interstate.
Leonard Wilson, commander of the Alabama division of Sons of Confederate Veterans, said the flag will be dedicated in a ceremony at 5 p.m. on June 26.
The flag is located on a little more than half an acre of land just north of where Autauga County 68 crosses over the interstate, about six miles south of the Verbena exit.
"We put the flag up so people could see it," Wilson said. "We are showing off our heritage. The flag is part of our heritage."
Critics of Confederate flag displays say they are reminders of the slavery era and Alabama's racist past, and can damage Alabama's image when flown beside a busy interstate route to Gulf beaches.
"My Dad died for the US flag and my nephew is fighting for it in Iraq. "
NOONE in the military dies "for a flag".
Ask any person in the armed forces what they took an oath for. If they are worth their salt as a true patriot, they will remember..."to defend the Constitution"...
Anyone fighting "for a flag" is just plain stupid. I know this isn't a very eloquant Freeper post with lots of Dubyah rhetoric and fanfare, but that is the truth. If someone told me, someone who loves living in the United States and the freedom that provides, to run through a battlefield holding a flag, I'd tell him, "You love it, you hold it".
People who worship flags are the same type that will write to their local newspapers with such drivel as "My neighbor has all kinds of Christmas decorations out but no American Flag. They should go to Russia"...
Fact of the matter is, good people of Free Republic, that once you are "forced" to display an act of patriotism, you my friend, are no longer free. Scary, isn't it?
Chortle! I don't remember Walt's having "elimination" issues, though.
I'm certainly not gonna go looking for him to find out - the guy is a pervert - always ranting about slaves being beaten, and yet it was his perverted bondage desire to be whipped/beaten. A hypocrite beyond the pale.
I wonder if your nephew knows what an idiot his uncle is. I hope he comes back, in one piece, just to kick your ass for thinking he was over there, dodging bullets, FOR A FLAG!
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/l/blenlistoath.htm
In the National Guard (Army or Air)
I, _________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of ___________________________________ against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of ________________________ and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God.
Note: The last words, "So help me God," are optional, depending on the individual's personal religious preferences.
(PS...I am also a veteran of the armed forces. So don't call me a hippie just because i PAID ATTENTION while solemnly swearing to support and defend the CONSTITUTION)
Bible beaters and god squadders may also want to make note of the optional "God" part.
I never read his posts in that much detail. Bleah.
"Fact of the matter is, good people of Free Republic, that once you are "forced" to display an act of patriotism, you my friend, are no longer free. Scary, isn't it?"
Last time I checked, no one is being forced to fly a flag or banner of any kind in this country.
But, if I am forced to remove a flag or banner of MY choosing, then yes, I am no longer free.
And yes, that is scary.
If it's about Freedom, I think they could find a better symbol for Freedom.
Hey I'm out of here for the rest of the day, would like to stay but need to get my sleep.
It comes down to this. It's on public property. It's protected "speech". You may not like it, boots, but that's just the "way it is".
How bout this for a "compromise".
They can ban the confederate flag, in all senses of the word, when the NAACP cracks down on all the "n" words flying out of the mouths of the very people they are trying to "advance". Why is it "ok" for one group to do as they please, because hey, it's a "black thing", but I make mention of the word, and "I'm a racist"? WTF?
You're already dreaming.
If you are feeling particularly mischevious, run a Bonnie Blue up your flagpole and let the naysayers wonder what it it.
Part of our history, just like this one.
Sounds like he was quiet a character.
The Mods seem to be particularly tolerant today. A fairly new poster gets posts pulled off of two threads (that I have counted so far this morning), and they are still running loose.
State organized military units didn't give the flags back. They kept them ~ after all the losers had argued it was all about "states' rights" hadn't they.
The Indiana state capitol building rotunda literally bulged with the mass of Confederate flags taken captive. You oughta' seen it!
The Indiana organized units were, after all, the very core of Grant's advance and had ample opportunity to retrieve the colors.
I don't remember any Confederate flags in the Capital building,(not saying there wasn't) but there was a few in the museum of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
Up until that time the Capitol had cases full of them.
I was taught that it was the War of Northern Aggression.
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