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Aside from the university in California that hates America, on Facebook there seems to be an uproar about done guy taking a pic in uniform with his baby cradled in an American flag. While I can appreciate the thought, it makes me cringe. I saw many service members defending it. I will copy/paste my comment and I'd like to hear your thoughts RP.
I assure you with 13 years and counting of military service, I love this country, and I love the flag that represents it. As another individual mentioned, there is a code of customs and courtesies associated with the flag to dictate how it is handled with dignity and respect. Having the privilege to have performed military honors at funerals, I can assure you everything about handling the flag is very specific. They way it's folded, how it should appear after folding, how it it rotated to be passed to the grieving etc. Everything about how the flag is handled with dignity and respect is specific. Those practices should always be preserved to maintain that sacred presence and reverence for the flag and what it stands for. It shouldn't be used as decor or a wrap for a photo. It also shouldn't be made into clothing (bikinis, boxers, jackets, etc.). Images of the flag upon clothing are deemed appropriate, but when the flag becomes the clothing itself, or a wrap, we are not observing those customs which are intended to show respect for the flag and love of country. I can greatly appreciate the sentiment and good hearted intention behind the photo, but it over looks the practice of actually holding the flag by a high and honorable standard. I don't think it's anything worth getting worked up about as some people seem to be. At least it attempts to be a very positive image, but it does make me cringe in the same way it makes me cringe to see flag bikinis, or stroller awnings, and so on. I hope you can appreciate my reasonable approach without it feeling like an attack. Most people don't even know that flag clothing is counter to code, and wear it with the mindset that it displays pride. Again, I can appreciate the sentiment, but I appreciate the code and adherence by it so much more, because it takes greater care and effort to observe it. Have a fantastic God-blessed American day!
I assure you with 13 years and counting of military service, I love this country, and I love the flag that represents it. As another individual mentioned, there is a code of customs and courtesies associated with the flag to dictate how it is handled with dignity and respect. Having the privilege to have performed military honors at funerals, I can assure you everything about handling the flag is very specific. They way it's folded, how it should appear after folding, how it it rotated to be passed to the grieving etc. Everything about how the flag is handled with dignity and respect is specific. Those practices should always be preserved to maintain that sacred presence and reverence for the flag and what it stands for. It shouldn't be used as decor or a wrap for a photo. It also shouldn't be made into clothing (bikinis, boxers, jackets, etc.). Images of the flag upon clothing are deemed appropriate, but when the flag becomes the clothing itself, or a wrap, we are not observing those customs which are intended to show respect for the flag and love of country. I can greatly appreciate the sentiment and good hearted intention behind the photo, but it over looks the practice of actually holding the flag by a high and honorable standard. I don't think it's anything worth getting worked up about as some people seem to be. At least it attempts to be a very positive image, but it does make me cringe in the same way it makes me cringe to see flag bikinis, or stroller awnings, and so on. I hope you can appreciate my reasonable approach without it feeling like an attack. Most people don't even know that flag clothing is counter to code, and wear it with the mindset that it displays pride. Again, I can appreciate the sentiment, but I appreciate the code and adherence by it so much more, because it takes greater care and effort to observe it. Have a fantastic God-blessed American day!
Customs and Courtesies
Pride
Patriotism
Flags and Vexillology
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 93
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I see this picture as a father serving in uniform, dedicating his life to the flag, while also demonstrating that the flag is a blanket of freedom, symbolically, rhetorically, or literally. He may also be using the flag as a form of baptism, bringing his son into the world, dedicating his son to the flag...as a form of culture, cultism, or otherwise. Let's try and see the good in it, not the bad. We can all view a picture and depending in the frame of mind, can pick it apart for the good it shows, or quote a flag code, in which very few of us know or follow. I respect our colors, I also hate it when people desecrate it literally, I don't think this Sailor meant to disgrace the flag in any manner. You get a few hard chargers leading the way, next thing you know this guy is getting death threats and commits suicide....what have we become? I say let it be...he wears the uniform, his child is protected by the very freedom he provides....you can agree or disagree. The flag provides those freedoms, let's not crucify one of our own over something I see, as damn patriotic and beautiful.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
We had a stellar by - the -book Marine in out unit. He would of made an awesome officer. He was hated, he corrected everyone, in classes he was a sharpshooter...he drummed himself out of our unit. This is what we are dealing with; stellar soldiers that feel better about themselves by putting down others. This is my opinion, and I stand by it CW2 Joseph Evans thanks for your comments.
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PO1 John Meyer, CPC
That's because too many who were born and raised here don't understand what it means to be American, CW2 Joseph Evans, and how blessed they are to be able to call themselves American.
My wife is Filipina and fully understands how great it is to be called American.
My wife is Filipina and fully understands how great it is to be called American.
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SGT Scott Bailey
I believe the photographer is the one catching hell, which makes no sense unless she made them pose with the flag that way. Its not a serious infraction to carry out death threats about. But a good moment to educate. When you purchase a flag, it usually comes with the flag code. So next time you buy one, don't throw away the papers that came with it. Read the code, and learn about the proper handling of our flag.
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I think it looks a lot like a massive amount of FREEDOM!!!
Our children should be cradled and protected in freedom from birth, I think this picture is symbolic of that. I don't think it displays the flag in a bad light...quite the contrary actually!
Our children should be cradled and protected in freedom from birth, I think this picture is symbolic of that. I don't think it displays the flag in a bad light...quite the contrary actually!
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
FREEDOM! Reminds me of Brave Heart CSM (Join to see) wiser words were never spoken.
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SFC Kevin Carpenter
CSM you are spot on in my opinion, I don't hear too much from people when we drape the flag over our fallen brothers and sisters!!
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SGT Scott Bailey
The problem is, most Americans were never taught the proper way to handle our flag. And when some are using it in a positive gesture, they probably think they are doing an American "thing". They may be trying to show their pride in our flag by what they are doing. Instead of demonizing them for their effort, we should complement them and educate them plain and simple. I agree with the other statement that it is much better than seeing the flag flag burned or desecrated in some other manner.
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I'd say it's wrong by the letter of the law -- but not the spirit of the law. Anyone who thinks this is a "desecration" of the flag needs to check their patriotism.
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MGySgt Douglas C.
Sir, I hate to disagree with you, but there is not a Flag Law. There is a Flag Code, which are recommendations for how to treat the National Ensign. We, in the military, take this code as our law, but it is still only a code.
Having said that, I agree with your last statement. This is not a desecration of the flag, I think it is a wonderful display of optimism for Our Country.
Having said that, I agree with your last statement. This is not a desecration of the flag, I think it is a wonderful display of optimism for Our Country.
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