Air Force vet scuffles with police over American flag

AirForce Times — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:59:28 -0400

From: Air Force Times

When Air Force veteran Michelle Manhart heard demonstrators at Valdosta State University, Georgia, were walking on the American flag, she knew she had to intervene if campus police would not.

"I decided to go up there and see if they're doing anything about it, and if not, I'm simply going just to walk in and pick up the flag and walk away," Manhart told Air Force Times on Monday. "I didn't want to cause any ruckus. My intentions were just to kind of go in quietly and not disrupt whatever they were doing."

What happened next thrust Manhart back in the media spotlight eight years after her career in the Air Force ended abruptly when she posed nude for Playboy. A video posted on YouTube shows former Staff Sgt. Michelle Manhart being handcuffed at Valdosta State University, Georgia, after refusing to give the flag back to protesters.

Manhart told Air Force Times that she had been alerted by a student at the university, whose father she served with in the Air Force, that the demonstrators were walking on the flag. She alerted the university, but the protests continued.

When she arrived on campus, she saw the demonstrators were debating among themselves, so she picked up the flag and headed to the parking lot, she said. About 10 feet from the parking lot, the protesters and police caught up with Manhart, whose daughter started videotaping the confrontation.

The campus police told her to give the flag back, she said.

"They said, 'If you release it to us, we will not give it back to them,'" Manhart said. "I disagreed with that wholeheartedly. There were other people's hands on it as well that belonged with the organization, so, of course I wasn't going to let go, because if I did, it would have been in their hands again."

Manhart felt the need to take the flag from the demonstrators because she was outraged at how they were treating what she sees as an iconic symbol of freedom.

"We drape that flag over many coffins over the men and women that unfortunately don't get to come home the way they left; over our firefighters, our police officers, a lot of our civil servants," Manhart said. "If you're walking on that flag, then you're also walking on their caskets and you're walking on everything they stood for and you have no respect for the freedom that they have fought to make sure that you can have."

As part of a campaign for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals years ago, Manhart posed nude while draped in the American flag. She said that the picture was meant as a sign of respect for the flag.

"What we wanted to try to get out of it is: People in general, we are very big on materialistic items," she said. "Even if you're not big into money, we all want cars and clothes and rings and iPads – it's something that we just naturally want.

"When you take away all materialistic things, what's left? It' just us. It's just us standing there in the nude. I would venture to say that most of us, myself included, would not be comfortable just walking down the street completely in the nude. But if you remove all materialistic items, what do you still have? You have your freedom. And if you stand behind your freedom; if you stand behind the flag and what it stands for and everything that it is, then you will always have your freedom."

Manhart's 13-year career in the Air Force was destroyed when she posed in uniform and nude for the February 2007 issue of Playboy.

She was roundly criticized by service members, who claimed she had disgraced her uniform, and former talk show host Montel Williams, a Navy veteran, said he would have personally separated Manhart if she were under his command.

"I don't want you to step in before a formation of 350 young troops that I know just saw you in the PX with your clothes off," Williams told Manhart in a 2007 episode.

In a 2007 interview with Air Force Times, Manhart said she had wanted to pose for Playboy since she was a young girl.

"At the time, I didn't see it as Playboy," Manhart said. "I just thought, 'Wow, this is the best magazine for models.'"

She joined the Air Force when she was just 16 years old, so her mother had to sign a release form. Her father, step-father and grandfather served in the military. In early 2006, she answered a casting call from Playboy and was photographed that April.

Manhart did not tell chain of command that she had posed for Playboy until a month before the magazine hit stands.

"At first, they said, 'Don't worry. You're not in trouble, and you're in our best interest,'" she said. "We just need to notify the correct people."

But within a matter of hours, they told her "to pack my desk and turn in my hat," she said.She was removed from active duty status and she finished her contract. In 2007, Air Force Times reported that Manhart was demoted to senior airman, but the Air Force confirmed on Monday that she separated as a staff sergeant.

Looking back at her Air Force career, Manhart misses aspects of military life.

"I don't miss the negativity," she said. "I miss the family. I miss the uniform. "I don't really miss getting up every day and going to work. But I miss the whole picture. Almost 13 years of my life is there."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=89&v=3so9qc0xUtk

Michelle Manhart Arrested for Protecting US Flag from Desecration

Video courtesy of Michelle Manhart: https://www.facebook.com/Californiasunvaldosta/videos/832807503423555/ Read more at: http://freedomoutpost.com/2015/04/mi...

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 1:05 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:05:38 -0400

The rights that we protect include the right to do things that we find disagreeable. I don't advocate what those students were doing but I will defend their right to do it. I took an oath not to ideology but to document that guarantees dissent. The moment we start to confuse those two point is the moment we do a disservice to everything brave Americans have died for.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 1:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:24:04 -0400

They left the part out about the actions of the protestors or the fact most were not even students. These demonstrations/protests had went on for several days prior to this incident with no one on the campus stopping it.

Response by MSG David Chappell made Apr 21 at 2015 1:27 PM

MSG David Chappell — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:27:53 -0400

My opinion of this is quite clear first the desecration of an American flag for the use of art or for freedom of speech is ridiculous. And any member who would wish to save the flag in a manner of this I would support. The however part of my statement is this if you are a veteran you do not stand and argue and debate with the police officer who's trying to do his job and stop you from committing an illegal act. The veteran in this case is wrong standing debating and arguing with the police officer even resisting arrest or refusing to let go of the flag was a criminal act.

The soldier did not help our cause and anyway instead the soldier now looks stupid as though those service members who would have supported. It is quite simple you obey the law if you pick the flag up off the ground in the group demands a back you simply give it back to them if the police officer confront you you don't argue with the police officer nor do you resist arrest you quietly state your case and when the author talks you listen if arrested you cooperate. This servicemember once posed for Playboy she has done nothing worth any remarkable naming since that act and leaving service in my opinion this was not so much as an act to defend the flag as it was to get attention from the media and once again bring herself into the limelight. Just my humble opinion

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 21 at 2015 2:34 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:34:20 -0400

How was Rick Monday's save of the American flag any different?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrV8QPQAhxo

This was accomplished in front of a cheering throng at Dodger Stadium and Rick wasn't arrested.

Times have changed, it seems, and not for the better...

The Greatest Play In Baseball - Rick Monday Saves U.S. Flag

On April 25, 1976 at Dodger Stadium, Rick Monday of the Chicago Cubs, grabbed and secured the American flag from two individuals as they were attempting to b...

Response by A1C Jared Gonzalez made Apr 21 at 2015 5:04 PM

A1C Jared Gonzalez — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 17:04:37 -0400

If you don't like how someone is treating the American flag which they purchased, that doesn't give you the right to steal it. She could have handled the situation better, much like her foray into nude modeling.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 8:12 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 20:12:39 -0400

Although I agree with this young lady in principle....the United States has yet to be declared as a a combat zone and as such we must follow the laws and rules set forth. One must be very careful in their zeal to defend their point of view (or in this case the flag) they do no end up in jail or end up coming off like a "nut job." Again I agree with her actions in principle but she is luck she was not arrested......side note her being an Ex-Air Force member and Ex-Playboy Bunny does not really help her cause......anyway was glad to see they decided not to press charges against her....will be interesting to see how her demonstration in support of the flag turns out......peace, love, democracy, and freedom of speech to all.....

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 11:56 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:56:00 -0400

What I'm about to say is stupid... but so are these people. The American flag should only be sold through authorized retailers and you're not allowed to purchase it without a written consent that you wont disgrace it! Owning the American flag is a responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly, and these people are failures in every sense of the title "American." Thousands and thousands have died to protect their right to do what they did, but just because I can do something doesn't mean I should. This is kindergarten stuff.

Manhart could have handled the situation better, but I certainly do not disagree with her actions. Maybe this country needs a few good hearted rebels to get people thinking straight again.

Response by PO1 Tim Carrington made Apr 23 at 2015 6:43 AM

PO1 Tim Carrington — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 06:43:08 -0400

Those who want to disrespect the flag should take a trip to the sand box

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 24 at 2015 12:56 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 12:56:51 -0400

I think she was wrong for having handled it the way she did --- to be honest, though, I think her reason for doing this had more to do with the publicity she hoped to generate than anything else.

Response by PO2 CPitbull Johnson made Apr 24 at 2015 1:02 PM

PO2 CPitbull Johnson — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 13:02:29 -0400

She was fully in her rights to take our USFlag. I would do the same. As a Veteran of the USA this was straight disrecpet to every Veteran from before to the present day. Our flag is to be flown high and proud for freedom. What this group was is bad as ISIS and they should be placed in cuffs as with the officers that supported that group for disrecpting our country.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 24 at 2015 1:26 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 13:26:32 -0400

As much as I dislike (understated) the method of Protest, I support their Right to Protest.

I get her anger. The image makes me angry. However, I cannot in good faith ask someone to take it down, nor could I good faith ask him to stop, if he is actually protesting. If he was just walking on the Flag, as though it weren't there, that would be a different story.

This isn't a case of Right & Wrong. It's infinitely more complex than that.

Response by MCPO Jim Weatherford made Apr 24 at 2015 1:50 PM

MCPO Jim Weatherford — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 13:50:55 -0400

Where to start. On one hand you spend a career defending peoples right to be stupid and on the other you want to just go WTF has happenned to our country. Was she out of line ? Only if you are comfortable with watching someone using the same Flag that has been draped over so many of our fellow warriors over the years who made the ultimate sacrifice as a rug. Go to Arlington at dusk and convince yourself that it's ok. Tell your Wounded Warriors that will struggle the rest of their natural lives with physical and mental issues that it's ok. The problem is not with our young Vet stepping up, it is with the apathetic view of so many to accept this as ok. In the immortal words of Merle Haggard " If you don't love leave it" . We will find a way to get by without you. Probably too long on the soapbox but when you bury enough people you become less tolerant of stupidity.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 3:40 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:40:35 -0400

I'm just saying it's a good gesture but this come from a women who posted naked with the American flag do I don't get it...

Response by CPT Craig Church, ASLA, LEED GA made Apr 24 at 2015 4:50 PM

CPT Craig Church, ASLA, LEED GA — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 16:50:50 -0400

This video is ridiculous. Cops with nothing less to do but attack and manhandle a female over protecting the flag? Could this not have been accomplished differently? What the hell was she arrested for? I think those cops just wanted to climb on her. She was ejected from the Air Force for posing nude???? WTF? It's a shame the how we pay attention to those who have good looks and ignor those who don't. Those cops are dumb-asses and should be fired.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 11:48 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:48:31 -0400

Glad this young lady did what she did. Despite whatever her intentions or past history as a Playboy model I feel she acted correctly.

The information coming forth on the protestors with one wanted by Police only validates my opinion on this whole situation.

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made May 12 at 2015 8:18 AM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Tue, 12 May 2015 08:18:46 -0400

I was doing a websearch on the Philippine KKK flag and found that the Sons of Confederate Veterans have been "fighting" against the KKK for flying the Confederate flag. And that KKK have been flying the American Flag for decades.

Response by SSgt Helen Scott made Jun 13 at 2015 12:08 AM

SSgt Helen Scott — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 00:08:00 -0400

Oh I do have lots of thoughts on this. I'd love to know what the big deal is that she posed in Playboy? I know plenty of folks that did LOTS of worse things while on active duty, and lots of other folks never about things happening also. Being told by "brass" that they'll stand behind her then say pack up your desk? What sorry folks were in that position!!! At least tell the truth that if higher up say you go, then know that you will go. Honesty is everything, unless you're captured. = ) She proudly served 13 yrs and she was the only one to stand up for the flag and she got arrested??? Isn't that the craziest thing you've ever heard? Sure is to me. I've seen on the news before where Mexican protesters have burned our flag and put theirs up in it's place...among many, many other groups doing likewise. Not one person stood to stop those events either. Some brave souls we have here in these places. If you think we're so bad, go to another country and see how you're treated there! Be sure to let us know too. As for me, WAY TO GO MICHELLE! Thank you.

Response by PO3 Dennis Bullard made Jul 9 at 2015 3:16 PM

PO3 Dennis Bullard — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 15:16:14 -0400

I salute you young lady. Sooner or later, all of us must make a stand. Whose side are you on?

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jul 18 at 2018 9:48 AM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 09:48:50 -0400

16? I think that was a typo... minimum age is 17 it went to 18 for a short time due to some logistical technicalities. Those were overcome and it returned to 17. If a troop joins right at 17 there is BMT and then AiT for Army and further tech school training, even if a Air Force Airman just goes to BMT then DDA(direct duty assignment) (depend’g when entering at 17, chances are they will be 18 by time they earn a 3 skill level and on job train’g time. Other services have similar wait times before actual o’seas Deployment..
the Whiney liberals all concerned about sending children to war after seeing 9 and 10 years of age serving their country’s civil wars. They didn’t want America’s youth fighting wars at 17.. (adolescent but still considered children). Goes along with anit-gun stance... anti-ROTC.. (training teenagers for war).. we had a parent ask my leaders if her son could wear a blue-Black blazer and gray trousers with the ROTC crest.. it was an unofficial type of display of being a member.. they could go with that (we went on a field trip and visited a Veteran’s org museum(VVA). The government hadn’t vetted them yet as a recognized 501C3 or 19 Vets org yet so if we we visited we couldn’t wear our regulation uniform.. yet we could wear the semi-unofficial blazer with the official R.O.T.C. Crest .. so what a contradiction..
actually it was so bloody hot we ditched the ties and went open collar.. there were other R.O.T.C. Cadets at the museum.. They seen we had ditched our ties and their’s went in the pocket too.. Fortunately it. Was cooler a few days later for the wreath Lay’g ceremony and we were in official uniform for that.. and for our Pentagon tour.. the other tourists were envious because we got a tour to sections they couldn’t visit.. many of the members who “had access” to those restricted areas. I was in the General’s aide pool and I only had clearance to a general assembly area where I left a cart
In the kitchenette with items I had assembled for the momentary sustenance needs of Generals in my section.. My guys were Major Generals(3 or 4) what I had to give was not supposed to be as nice as for the Lt. Gen’ls and 4 Stars. I was asked to tone my cart down.. hmmm.. and I worked hard to make it look so appetizing... The aide I worked under said the other Gen’l’s x-tra aides in the pool were jealous.. So how'd they get picked to be in the pool in the first place? I’d like to know at that time. I know I did it again.. I decided having to do so much time in the aide pool took me away from doing other work that needed done. I liked spread’fg my work out.. doing a complete job and then check’g finite
details to make sure i did it right(kind of obsessive compulsive). Spending time in aide pool stole from that I thought.. I felt more rushed.. ..I put in to go back to my
Regular AFSC; 62270 and prepare sustenance for the enlisted Airmen.. The Generals I aided for in the Pool got the main General I was assigned to, to convince me to go to AF academy and be assigned.. When I got there I told them being at the prep school would serve the AF better.. They agreed.. I worked a year
and assignment to another base was where the AF needed me. I searched and found the Af and I were in agreement on the base .. S’body at assignment’s must have seen the AF and I agreed... so they decided to manually assign me to a s**thole assignment. The orders came and it wasn’t for that place the AF and I agreed on. I determined that no matter where I went i’d Give the AF my Best. To do otherwise would be detrimental to both the AF and it’s needs. Mine came after..
I would hope the AF seen this... as they reviewed my my performance(the one guy I ‘d really like to see it is the joker who tried to stiff me in the assignment I was given. Really mess up his day.. I know it’s not right to think that way.. but I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face he got way back when he he awarded me that assignment.... I and 5 Airmen received a TDY to a “Harvest Eagle” train’g Sitrep; them to attend(temps in 100’s).. more as labor setting up, maintain. The food service equipment after prospective students kinda messed it up maybe.. and myself as an instructor. The only off-time would be spent at the camp many miles from civilization.. not worth driv’g 100 mi. For a half hour. And I felt if they were not leav’g Then I stuck by them.. We did what was demanded and then some more.. Aridzona did nobody favors where the heat was concerned..
And the wind that whipped up. We seen that many of the pallets the tents had for floors were dry rotting. we were not Carpenters and we didn’t have Red-horse engineers (they were supposed to be there as part of maintain’g the camp..
they got deployed .. We took measurements and I called back over to main base and sent them pics of what was needed. I called another place on base and got some equipment sent .. I got told it was an open budget.. (it still doesn’t mean to go crazy and clear the warehouse)! Well that’s what I almost did.. Tents were dry-rotting and falling apart.. I got the catalog and ordered the tortoise shell shelters with Water air cooler hookups(like an air conditioner but set up was a little different.. All that gear arrived next day with personnel to set it up.. I found it near maxed the budget..
the new Airmen coming for next training
Camp would have it better.. I got a pressure washer and some Special cleaner to clean the field units.. aside from elbow grease.. ordered Sun block to be issued.. not sold like when a mini bx was opened from 5 to7 everyday.. The main bx manager found out later they got handed free sun-block and sun glasses(actually dark plastic wrap-arounds when drops are put in the eyes before testing for Disease. Why people show up and don’t bring sun-block and shades .. I know we left that camp in better shape for the next group .. The next year our base got a request for another team... but not the same last team ... we did a. Really good job but it was really expensive.. The Major there signed off on the recommendations.
I convinced him it’d be a few feathers in his cap... I think he got a new title;
“Chief got the head-dress pulled down over his eyes”. It was a learning experience for him..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2018 11:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 11:09:07 -0400

I realize this post is 3 years old but it popped up in my feed. So she was so outraged by them using their First Amendment right to protest she attacked them but she had no qualms when she used the flag in a nude photo shoot?

You can't take or destroy other people's property. That's what she did. So that's why the police did what they did. If they had destroyed her flag, they'd be in trouble. They didn't.

It's ridiculous when this comes up - most of the people who get so pissed off by people who use the flag in protests violate the Flag Code daily.