Posted on 11/12/2005 1:28:26 PM PST by radar101
Five veterans were arrested and taken to jail Thursday night after ignoring police orders not to touch flags planted by an anti-war group.
The five were charged with criminal trespass after they attempted to pull up the 2,000 white flags in Waterville, Maine's Veterans Memorial Park. The flags represented the 2,000 U.S. soldiers killed in the war in Iraq.
The group Waterville Area Bridges for Peace and Justice called the display an important visual reminder of the lives lost.
Waterville Police Chief John Morris, who is a Vietnam veteran himself, said the group had a legal permit to place the flags in the public park.
The veterans said the flags were planted in "sacred ground."
Morris said, "I spoke to them as a veteran and suggested that legitimate veterans' organizations do not resort to civil disobedience to make their point. I warned them, very carefully, that they were not allowed to do destructive behavior on these flags. If they did, we would have to ask them to leave the park. If they refused to leave the park then we'd have to arrest them, and that's what happened."
The five veterans were booked at police headquarters and released after paying $40 to the bail commissioner.
See post 51.
Guess I am going to be beat up on this thread as well. I sure was on the last one where I said old folks should get to keep thier social security.
In a society with decent patriots, the local cops would have just looked the other way.
This is how things like the American Revolution got started - and why it would be so very difficult to replicate the actions enshrined in the Declaration of Independence - we have too large a paramilitary establishment whose primary allegience is to the Courts who oppress us, rather than to the people who pay their salaries.
A basic misunderstanding of property rights. It's criminal to burn an American flag that does not belong to you, no amendment necessary. The problem here is that these flags did not belong to fellows who burned them.
Hmmm, he has 4 years of posting history to stand by. What do you have? If anyone's the troll, it's you.
White flags are inappropriate – they do not denote “peace” as much as “surrender”.
Yep.
LOL! Whoever thought up that ad campaign wasn't paid enough. :)
Some of my mil experiences:
When I was in Europe in the 70s, I remember almost daily briefings on our status and how we would fight should the Soviets cross thru the Fulda Gap. Remember this was an all voluntary force. We were told we would more than likely only last the very first few minutes of the conflict before we were all blown to hell. However, what we did would be crucial to the long term outcome. I am very glad to have had the opportunity to stand watch and alerts day and night protecting this country from the USSR. BTW, I sat in the back seat of an F4 for many many hours doing my job. Also more than one night I slept on the wing of an F4.
After spending years in Tactical Air Command, in 1979 I PCSd back to the states into Strategic Air Command; went from “in theater” to “strategic”. On 1 Sept 1982 I was able to transfer from SAC to USAF Space Command on the very first day in was in existence. I ended up as one of the charter members of Space Command. Let’s see. That was during a time when there was not all the flag waving we have today, support the troops etc. I AM CERTAINLY NOT saying that is bad, just we never got such ourselves. Still that was not important. Defending the nation was.
In 1987 I left Space Command to work for NASA. First at the Cape and then onto JPL “flying” interplanetary spacecraft. After years of working on interplanetaries, Space Station, Space Shuttle, Launch operations, etc, I am now back working with the DOD again helping to defend the nation. I have an LtCol as my office mate and a very good friend as well.
One last story:
I was in TAC with an F4 unit somewhere in Europe during an alert. We were deployed from our regular location. Quck turnaround on a Jet engine pull. Witnessed first hand a GE-79J fall onto an A1C. (Hoist mount broke) Not a hope surviving that. I knew her personally. That sight still haunts my memories. :-(
I'm pretty dense. I don't understand why it was a crime to pull up these flags but was not a crime to put them there in the first place. Most cities have laws against littering public property.
You believe they have the right to place their lilly white crosses ....on Veteran's Day...at a Veteran's Park?
No one wants to beat you up.....we just want to undertstand how you can hold this position, having served in the military yourself????
Their action is not free speech.....it's a hatred of the military and all it stands for.
It was just surprising coming from you.....or the you I thought I kinda knew.
..Thanks...
..forgive me for my harshness.
Dumbest post of the day, so far.
Very impressive!
#69 is a little braggy I think, but no one on FR, my friends, or even anyone from my family called to wish me a happy veterans day. Felt a little left out this year I guess.
Sorry for jumping the gun earlier.
God bless you RadioAstronomer for your courage, sacrifice and valor for our country.
Thank-you!
Ping to post #75 and please add him to your wonderful tribute Thread!
Please read...quite impressive.
Read the article, its not just a "PARK" its a Veterans Memorial Park......Which has just been desecrated by a group of anti-American leftists which you seem to support.
I have experienced the same. Thank you, very sincerely, Radio Astronometer for your service to our country.
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