Posted on Dec 13, 2015
MSgt Curtis Ellis
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Flag etiquette states that the flag should not be allowed to touch the ground. An uncropped version of the photo, posted to Traux’s Facebook earlier this month, shows her daughter standing on the bars of the draped American flag. Cropped or not, should the photo be allowed? Personally, I believe, in respect of the US Flag, it should not be allowed as long as someone in the position of authority knew about it. Doing so would give the perception that the school supports this. Given what we know about free speech, what do you think? And be nice...

"The mother of a Foxborough High School student says a photo of her daughter with an American flag was rejected by the school for being “offensive.” But the school says the photo itself was inappropriate for its disrespect of flag etiquette, WCVB reports.

In a widely shared Facebook post, Lisa Truax wrote that the Red Wing Diner, which employs her daughter, purchased a page in the school yearbook to congratulate her. The photo shows her daughter posing in front of a draped American flag.

“Does anyone find this photo offensive? Apparently Foxboro High School finds it offensive,” Truax wrote. “They won’t allow the picture in the yearbook because it’s the American flag. We are American! We live in America! OMG what is this country coming to?”

The post garnered more than 5,000 shares by Friday morning.

However, officials at Foxborough High School said in a statement to WCVB that the photo itself was the offensive one.

“The photo showed the United States flag, hanging on a wall, with the lower portion lying on the floor, and the student standing on the flag,” Principal Diana M. Myers-Pachla said in a statement. “We do not view standing on the U.S. flag as respectful or appropriate.”

Flag etiquette states that the flag should not be allowed to touch the ground. An uncropped version of the photo, posted to Traux’s Facebook earlier this month, shows her daughter standing on the bars of the American flag."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/12/11/there-flag-fueled-yearbook-controversy-foxborough/UnJ9148BR5I4VuWxCgk2fL/story.html
Edited 9 y ago
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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I just *love* when people use social media to stir up controversy. The girl's mother is bent on being "right".
This is a tempest in a teapot.
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1LT Engineer Officer
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Facebook is drama fest. Exactly why i dont have one. Hate it.
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SN Greg Wright
SN Greg Wright
9 y
1LT (Join to see) - I have one, but it's sat unused for years - my daughter created it for me. My degree is MIS, so I wouldn't touch FB with a 10 foot pole.
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SN Greg Wright
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MSgt Curtis Ellis Wait, what?! Someone in public service STOOD UP FOR THE FLAG?!

Curtis, quick, where can I buy structural supports? I think the sky is going to come down.

/end hyperbole

'The Veterans'. That kind of pissed me off. What does she think, we're some kind of special group to be pulled out of the drawer to show her 'support'?!
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
MSgt Curtis Ellis
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SN Greg Wright I know, right?
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SGT Rick Ash
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I saw the initial post and thought it might be because it appeared she was standing on the flag. Even if that is so, the school is responsible for "draping the flag and letting it touch the ground. I do NOT think it is offensive however, I would like to give the school some of my direct comments. Lisa did nothing wrong on purpose. And, this is America and that is OUR heritage and proud history. This is all wrong for the wrong reasons.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Bryan Zeski
9 y
SGT Rick Ash I'm guessing you didn't read the article. The school didn't have anything to do with the picture except to say that they were uncomfortable with the girl standing on the flag. The girl took the photos at a professional photo studio - and that is where the flag was on the ground (as a backdrop). The school had nothing to do with it.
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Capt Mark Strobl
Capt Mark Strobl
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MSG Donald R. Lee, M.B.A. - Nailed it. "Wrong for all the wrong reasons."
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Did you hear about the flag-fueled yearbook controversy in Foxborough, Mass? What is your opinion, "Yes" or "No"?
LTC Kevin B.
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Edited 9 y ago
Looks like a standoff. They both have a point. The student was just trying to be patriotic....but she does appear to be standing on a flag that is touching the ground (although I'm sure that wasn't her intent). Both sides have a reason to be offended. They should have just cropped everything in the photo from the knees down. Problem solved for everyone.
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LTC Kevin B.
LTC Kevin B.
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CPT (Servicemember) - Completely unintentional. But that is funny now that you point it out.
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Capt Mark Strobl
Capt Mark Strobl
9 y
LTC Kevin B. - Simple solution for everyone. Thus, it probably won't work.
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CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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I feel any angst should be directed at the photo studio. They could have alleviated all the controversy by not putting a backdrop that appears an awful lot like a US Flag on the ground. I can support the student's desire to be patriotic and I can support the school's desire to honor Old Glory. Using the "what's done is done" approach I wouldn't see a problem with a cropped version of the photo being used. Five years from now no one will remember the controversy behind the original photo.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
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I understand. She shouldn't have been standing on the flag unless she's supporting Eric Sheppard.
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COL Charles Williams
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I do not find it offensive, if it is a commercial backdrop. I find it offensive a school would find a flag background in a photo... especially in a place where this country has its roots...
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Bryan Zeski
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Sir, I don't think the school found the flag itself offensive - the school said it was because of the fact that the girl was standing on the flag.
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Surprisingly enough, I live in the next town over and I had not heard about this till now

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