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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 9 y ago
Responses: 93
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I get the symbolism ..but there's definitely a lot of of interpretation to be had with this one.. i've gotten a similar picture like this done for my son when he was born while i served.. but.. it wasn't an actual flag.. i'd have to agree that it was for me a symbol of everything i was fighting for wrapped in one shot.. my family.. my country.. my flag.
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Excuse me if someone has already posted this question. Is this different in comparison to an athlete drapeing themselves in the National Ensign during the Olympics?
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CW3 (Join to see)
It's been mentioned. I don't see it as any different not different, that honestly sort of makes me cringe too. The distinction I make is what civilians (in all their glorious ignorance) do vs. what I'm thinking servicemembers should do. While I cringe at it (Olympic flag draping), it would be odd if the US were the only country NOT to do that though, and could be taken as arrogant. I would agree there is a level of discretion, or even exception, but with every exception, the way is made for another, and another. When we get past that blurry area and starts getting negative, on what ground can we stand on in saying you're free to express love of country contra-code, but not free to express hate of country contra-code? It's really not as big an issue to me as the responses to this post seem to impress though. I would just like to see more servicemen and women uphold the traditions that make us distinct rather than diminishing them for the sake of sentiment is all. Kind of like, if the commander is in, the guidon is posted. Who really cares?
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WO1 Beauchamp, I too appreciate the code. It makes me cringe to see the flag flying from a pole tattered, to see a flag used as a table cloth, to see a flag burned and stomped on by protesters, to see a flag in a dumpster or trash can disposed of improperly. I could list many more but not this picture of this baby cradled in the flag. A picture is worth a thousand words and in my book this picture is worth a thousand positive, uplifting, patriotic and spiritual words. The thing that bothers me most is that I didn't think of it first. (;-) Be Safe!
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Honestly the picture is beautiful in my opinion and though I can see why people would get angry when seeing this picture I also feel that the idea behind it makes it some what better. Could they have gone about this in a different manor of course but people seem to care about the wrong things now. Why are we throwing a fit about this when college students want to remove flags from the campus and people feel the need to remove all flags from certain cemeteries. I feel our focus is off on his one.
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CW3 (Join to see)
You're on point, but I'll mention we expect idiot liberal college kids to do stupid things, and expect mute grin servicemembers.
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I dont see what the big deal is? I thought it was a very moving picture. I dont any disrespect being done here at all. Id be more upset at that "college" in CA that refuses to fly the US Flag.
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This is such a cool photo!!!! I see nothing wrong or disrespectful with it; certainly not desecration. We wear that flag, we protect that flag, and we more than any other should be able to decide what the left and right limits are. Calling this desecration, or even wrong, would be akin to saying an USA olympic gold medal winner was wrong for running around wrapped in a flag... This is just media hype.
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People are being too sensitive here. This isn't and shouldn't be an issue here. This is nothing than the military family proud of country and profession.
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I can see both sides of this, but I like the figurative part. I like the idea that this baby is being cradled in the freedom Old Glory represents.
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