Dittos from me too!!
Semper Fi,
Norb
Posted on 11/27/2001 3:56:44 AM PST by rightwingextremist1776
I know it was well-intentioned. And no, it's not a huge deal. (Much smaller than I expressed earlier and a fellow FReeper pointed out.) I'm just disappointed that the "patriotic fervor" could be expressed in a way that didn't include writing on our flag, that's all.
>I was discussing this with my sis, an AF ROTC cadet, and I maintained that all these raggedy flags still waving from peoples cars do not dishonor this country, but instead are a compliment. Did they take down the Star-spangled banner when it was shot up right away? No, the symbolism was greater to have this hole-studded flag waving in the breeze. Ditto for the scrawled messages on the WTC flag.
I'm sure they didn't intentionally put the holes in the flag. < sarcasm > Even if they did, I'm sure they were patriotic when the did it < /sarcasm>. Seriously though, I'm the first one in line supporting patriotism. And I forgive their ignorance of flag etiquitte. But personally, I prefer they respectfully burned the damaged flag at a time that was convenient, given the circumstances.
I had a initial reaction similar to your first inclination. Even though it didn't (at least I don't think it did) ride a tower down, this flag has special significance. And it's undeniable that on the surface it appears to have been defiled. Each of us will ultimately have to decide for ourselves, but I'm going to give the signers the benefit of the doubt here. It is my feeling that each of them were feeling strong emotions when they signed the flag in a way that they probably thought imbued the strongest heartfelt support for this nation.
I almost feel as if these people were signators to a document, a symbol that stated they cherished this nation and were reaffirming their devotion to it and to the very flag they signed. It's almost as if they were signing an oath of renewal. And symbolically I think they signed it for you and I as well. Were they right to do so. Hey, you and I are probably going to wind up saying no. It was a mistake. Then again there may be days when we will find those signatures from the crater of terrorism to be very moving.
That flag is now headed to the Mideast. It's also headed into the sacred halls that house our nation's most valued possessions. I think it will mean a lot to all men and women who see it in the future. Asking myself how I'd feel if I looked upon it over there as a troop in the field, I had to admit that it might seem even more touching to see the names of my fellow countrymen on it. This flag is going to carry a lot of feeling behind it. It's going to touch on core values. It's a flag that will long remain a symbol of our loses, our devotion and our resolve. We may have to throw out the rule book on this one. They don't always make room for every situation. And I think we can agree this is a unique situation.
If I saw that flag pristine as the day it was manufactured, it would stand in stark contrast to the site it looked down on. It would seem out of place, almost unfitting. It almost has to be soiled to remind us of where it was. And if I saw it blank, I'm not sure it would carry the meaning that it would with hundreds if not thousands of signatures of my fellow countrymen on it. If I saw it hanging on a wall in an museum, I'd probably feel completely different than I would if I were standing in the theater of combat seeing the heartfelt signatures of my fellow countrymen back home.
This is one that's going to hit everyone differently. I think there's merits to both sides. I myself am going to probably waver on this one. There will be times when I'll be upset that it has the signatures on it, and there will be times when it will hit me between the eyes because it did.
Let's remember that this has been a terrorist event that has hit the common man more than any other terrorist event in our history. It has touched us all. Perhaps it's highly appropriate for one of it's symbol's to carry the names of a symbolic few that felt the same emotions that the rest of us have felt. Perhaps the sterile pristine flag would be the real sacrilege here. I cannot say.
If I am right, the proper etiquette for this flag is going to transcend the normal protocol for a flag. It has become something much more than simply a symbol of our nation. It has become a symbol of who and what we are. It is truly for the people, by the people and of the people. Perhaps as flawed and yet noble as we ourselves sometimes are, this flag is even more fitting today than it was before it was signed. Who's to know?
MGBA
Dittos from me too!!
Semper Fi,
Norb
Very good!! ROFLMAO!!
Ducks
Look, you're not far off base in my opinion. This nation has suffered an incredible lowering of standards in the last fifty years. Sadly white trash seems more the norm than the exception these days. It's our education system as far as I am concerned. They do not instill respect for anything except those miraculous teachers. (GAG)
You really did a good job on this one. I think you are stating what many American patriots feel deep inside.
Thanks,
Norb
Differing Opinions on thisOohRahHere!
Dick Gaines
The marking, if done at all, should have stayed off the white areas, where the contrast was maintained with the stars and the stripes.
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