How offensive do you find this type of advertising?

COL Ted Mc — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:01:31 -0500

I C&Pd this from an eMail I received

Help Us Place a Wreath on Fallen Heroes’ Graves This Holiday Season

The Washington Times is joining forces with Wreaths Across America on their mission to place wreaths on Veterans graves this December the 12th at Arlington Cemetery. Help us accomplish this quest by subscribing to The Times and becoming a wreath sponsor.

It’s simple. By subscribing by December 9th to The Washington Times through this special offer of only $89.95 for 24 weeks, the National Weekly for $89.95 for one year, or The Washington Times News App (NDE) for $24.95 for one year, we’ll donate $15 to purchase a wreath that will be placed on a Veterans grave this December on your behalf.

Your support makes all the difference in making this mission a success.

Let’s help Wreaths Across America reach its goal and place a wreath on all our fallen heroes’ graves this December by becoming a subscriber or giving a gift subscription today!

Click here to subscribe
Thank you for your support!

Personally I find it repugnant.

What's your view?

Response by SGT David T. made Dec 3 at 2015 1:03 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:03:44 -0500

I really am not surprised by this.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 1:05 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:05:28 -0500

.... is feel good money making scam... :) don't blame them, blame their marketing department :P lol

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 1:07 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:07:22 -0500

Wreaths across America is a great operation. I have no problem with a for profit company donating part of that profit towards it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 1:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:08:31 -0500

Some will say, "it's the American way"...I say it's bull$hit. Take all you can get..,never give anything back. What's going to happen when no one volunteers to serve, until they get what they deserve? De Oppresso Liber!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 3 at 2015 1:09 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:09:49 -0500

I struggled with which response to check the box COL Ted Mc. I received the same email as you did. I was glad to see the image of wreaths placed around the headstones. While I am not going to subscribe I am glad at least one organization in the DC area is already drawing attention to laying wreaths by the graves of fallen soldiers, sailors [Navy and USCG], marines, and air men and women.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Dec 3 at 2015 1:37 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:37:20 -0500

No matter where you go, there's going to be opportunists. Someone there to try and make a buck off the fat of someone else's back. It happened with 9-11 with folks claiming to be in or near the World Trade Center, after the wars started with folks claiming to be military (and never served), or even worse, those who HAVE served and still do what it takes to scam a dollar using the uniform as a cloak. I won't be doing it, but somewhere, someone is going to.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 1:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:41:55 -0500

Just donate to the charity. Look at all the actual charities that use your money for profit and do little to help with the money you donate.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Dec 3 at 2015 2:09 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:09:18 -0500

just another way to make money.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 3 at 2015 2:22 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:22:53 -0500

Is it the advertising or the program that is offensive?
As one who has anticipated in many of the ceremonies I am curious? I am also wonder if anyone has stopped to ask themselves how all of those wreaths are placed on the graves of military veterans at Arlington (even single grave last year) and on veteran's gives across America, -- all on the same day.
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
The funds raised by the program, support many non-profits, and the people who place the wreaths on the graves and then come back later to collect them a few weeks later, are all volunteers.
We are all free to choose what we beehive and what we wish to support. However, I believe it is best to make those decisions form an informed vice emotional position.

http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

I personally believe your opinion poll response is biased agains the program.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 3:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:09:02 -0500

Sir, I donate money every year directly to buy a wreath. I never take out a subscription, or any other offer where they state they will donate something on my behalf.

Response by PO3 Michael Cardinale made Dec 3 at 2015 3:37 PM

PO3 Michael Cardinale — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:37:00 -0500

I think that it's pretty low to use a good cause for more subscribers.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Dec 3 at 2015 9:22 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 21:22:40 -0500

COL Ted Mc at first as I was reading this, I thought it was a nice idea, until I saw the thing about pass the $$$...

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Dec 3 at 2015 10:09 PM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 22:09:54 -0500

I don't find it repugnant, but I do think it's silly. If I want to give $15 to Wreaths Across America, I'll just give $15 to Wreaths Across America.

I think people and businesses should be free to partner with anyone they want. If it's a good cause, I see nothing wrong with advertising their partnership. (Actually, I see nothing wrong with advertising it even if it isn't a good cause.) The only question I have, to determine if it is morally repugnant or not, is if there's a difference in what the relationship really is vs. how it is presented.

Response by 1SG James A. "Bud" Parker made Dec 4 at 2015 12:27 PM

1SG James A. "Bud" Parker — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 12:27:13 -0500

Sadly, many commercial operations feed at the trough of sad emotional events, like fallen soldiers, critically sick children, abused puppies, starving people. You would have to look at the entirety of the organizations financial records to discern how effective, or manipulative they are.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Dec 4 at 2015 5:36 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 17:36:47 -0500

Sad that these people have taken to making money from the most hurting.