Posted on Jun 7, 2016
Did this former Marine sergeant do the patriotic thing when he lowered the American Flag on Memorial Day?
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I have a low opinion of any Americans that do not demonstrate even a modicum of proper respect to our Stars and Stripes. This proud warrior did, and, for doing so, he was fired from his job. Was he right or does his (now) former employer hold all the cards? What is your take on this latest "Freedom of Expression" collision between any citizen or veteran and someone or some business entity in America?
Patriotism
Constitution
1st Amendment
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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No, he didn't.
I've been to many Memorial Day observances over the past 31 years, and they all have the same thing in common: the flag flies at half staff all morning; at noon the flag returns to full staff. This OUGHT to be basic knowledge.
By his own admission, this Marine lowered the flag at 2:30 in the afternoon, then lowered it again after it was raised back up. If it had been his flag, he'd have been "the knucklehead that don't know better". Instead, it was his employer's flag, and I get the feeling there was a lot of background conversation that didn't get reported but contributed to the decision.
I've been to many Memorial Day observances over the past 31 years, and they all have the same thing in common: the flag flies at half staff all morning; at noon the flag returns to full staff. This OUGHT to be basic knowledge.
By his own admission, this Marine lowered the flag at 2:30 in the afternoon, then lowered it again after it was raised back up. If it had been his flag, he'd have been "the knucklehead that don't know better". Instead, it was his employer's flag, and I get the feeling there was a lot of background conversation that didn't get reported but contributed to the decision.
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SSG (Join to see)
Yes, in this case it's likely the 'devil is in the details.' It's quite possible the whole situation spiraled out of control. Maybe his attitude was over the top and that wound up being the issue, not the flag.
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CW4 Guy Butler
SSG (Join to see) Two words: Facebook video.
"Thornwell said he reacted angrily at what he took as a sign of disrespect to him and other vets. He can be heard cursing twice in a short video he shot at the scene with his phone. He said he wanted to send a message to military personnel around the world that “this is what the people back home think about us.”
The former Marine says he was never disrespectful or out of control. In fact, he said the security guard escorting him back to his work station told him, “I fought. I understand.”
That night on Facebook, Thornwell posted the photos he took of the flag at full- and half-staff, and brief video of himself talking to the camera as he walked back to his job site. He stamped the footage “Timewarner.”
He put this title on the post: “So many years wasted. I’m telling you ... PEOPLE DON’T GIVE A F***.”"
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article81658827.html#storylink=cpy
"Thornwell said he reacted angrily at what he took as a sign of disrespect to him and other vets. He can be heard cursing twice in a short video he shot at the scene with his phone. He said he wanted to send a message to military personnel around the world that “this is what the people back home think about us.”
The former Marine says he was never disrespectful or out of control. In fact, he said the security guard escorting him back to his work station told him, “I fought. I understand.”
That night on Facebook, Thornwell posted the photos he took of the flag at full- and half-staff, and brief video of himself talking to the camera as he walked back to his job site. He stamped the footage “Timewarner.”
He put this title on the post: “So many years wasted. I’m telling you ... PEOPLE DON’T GIVE A F***.”"
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article81658827.html#storylink=cpy
Charlotte vet says he was fired for lowering flag on Memorial Day
Former Marine says he was fired by Time Warner Cable for lowering the flag on Memorial Day
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Yes the Marine did the right thing. Time Warner was wrong and I will not support Time warner.
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I think he let his pride take over for his common sense. He was wrong since it was after noon when he attempted to lower the flag and he was also wrong to take matters into his own hands and lower a company owned flag. Good initiative, poor judgement on his part. Should he have been fired, well that is up to the company, personally I think a verbal counseling would have sufficed.
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