Posted on 03/01/2006 9:16:44 AM PST by llevrok
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The state Senate has passed a resolution to honor World War II hero Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, just weeks after the University of Washington student Senate shot down a measure to honor the UW alumnus.
Sen. Luke Esser, also a UW graduate, proposed the measure after what he deemed an "unfortunate" incident at his old school.
"He was one of the most heroic fighter pilots in American history," said Esser, R-Bellevue. "Being a guy from UW, I'm proud of Huskies that go on to achieve great things."
The student Senate triggered a firestorm three weeks ago after rejecting by one vote a resolution to create a campus memorial for Boyington. Radio talk shows and Internet blogs quickly chastised the students for the decision.
Debating the issue, UW senior Ashley Miller said the university already had enough monuments to rich white men, according to meeting minutes. Jill Edwards, a UW sophomore, questioned whether a member of the Marine Corps was the type of person the school wanted to produce.
Miller said later her comments were made as part of a general discussion of memorials on campus, not about Boyington specifically. Edwards said she did not mean to offend anyone but was trying to start a discussion.
"Some of the statements that came out of that incident were unfortunate," Esser said. "People make mistakes. I said some things in my youth that I'd like to have back, too."
Most famous for his actions as a Marine ace, shooting down more than 20 enemy planes, Boyington also spent nearly two years as a Japanese prisoner of war. He earned a Medal of Honor.
Boyington's military career, along with his ragtag "Black Sheep" squadron of the South Pacific, became the foundation for the popular 1970s TV series "Baa Baa Black Sheep," starring Robert Conrad as Boyington.
The resolution passed late Monday during a session attended only by the floor leaders of both parties.
"We wanted to give Pappy Boyington the honor he deserves," said Democratic floor leader Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way. "His show was one of my all-time favorites. He was one of our all-time heroes."
After catching so much flak, the UW student Senate was expected to consider a new way to honor Boyington - by recognizing all five former students who received the Medal of Honor. They include Deming Bronson, Robert Galer, Robert Leisy and William Nakamura.
The student Senate could vote on that proposal next week.
"Most students wanted something more inclusive," said Lee Dunbar, student body president. "With this one we have pretty wide support."
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The Boyington resolution is SR 8728.
Too little, too late. UW is an national embarassment.
The actual squadron had few, if any, similarities to the one portrayed on television.
My hats off to Luke Esser who represents my district. As a fellow UW grad, it makes me proud. At least some that attend that school have morals.
As for the UW itself and that politburo they call the student senate, they need a major fumigating.
Certainly in football !!! \sarc.
Washington Ping
"Most students wanted something more inclusive," said Lee Dunbar, student body president. "With this one we have pretty wide support."
Typical liberal back-pedling. I'm sure if even the whole group of CMOH individuals had come up in the first place, the vote would of been the same with the brain diseased liberals on the student senate saying the same things.
Perhaps UW should be relocated to another country...though I am not sure who would really want their sorry asses...
It has been mentioned on other threads that Boyington was at least partly Indian (Sioux I think) and that he was never rich.
They would fit in perfectly in Cuba, China, or Venezuela
Four more rich white males. Well, hell, Nakamura's as much a rich white male as Boyington was.
Freerepublic.com should set up an 'Ashley Miller & Jill Edwards Scholorship' to be given once each year to the most stuck up, snobby, idiot on campus. The winner should get a certificate written on toilet paper and the cash prize not to exceed a small french from McDonalds. Or in lieu of cash, an order of McD's fries, perfeably several days old.
>The actual squadron had few, if any, similarities to the one portrayed on television.
Absolutely! How many grunts operating in a forward combat base had easy access to nurses and woman? Just did not happen unless sone donut dolly's droped in for a brief apperance under heavy protection of bodyguards.
The Senate should also vote to change the name of University of Washington to Pappy Boyington Tech.
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Was there a real Puppy Boyington, like he had in the tv show?
There was a real Pappy Boyington like on the real show - it was the so-called exploits of the group that are in question.
There was a real Pappy Boyington like on the TV show and in real life - it was the so-called exploits of the group that are in question.
bu...but...was there a "dog beside the Man?"
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