Posted on May 3, 2015
SSG Ronald Williams
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Flag
How far would you go to protect the Flag from desecration?
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Edited 11 y ago
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Responses: 26
SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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I hate to see something like that, but they have a right to express themselves. Also, that's not saying they may be followed and get the message that it's not safe to do that, as they stare at my aluminum bat.
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
SGT (Join to see)
11 y
I would have when I was your age, but I'm too old now to go to jail. Besides, if I did intervene, I would go to prison for murder. I fight with a .40 cal now.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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Interesting. The sad part is the Incident/Article that I think this is in response too. The "Lady" "Protecting" the Flag it later pops up of a Nude Picture of her covering her Privates with the Flag.
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LTC Stephen C.
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Edited 11 y ago
SSG Ronald Williams, this guy went the whole route to stop desecration of Old Glory!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3HVaC_czx4
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
11 y
That veteran will not have to spend one cent of his own money for bail or fines I guarantee it. I would have taken pictures and called the police but I understand his frustrations. We can't pick and choose the laws we will obey. That includes destruction of private property AND violating flag protocol. Let the police enforce the laws.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
11 y
SFC Mark Merino, it happened sometime ago. He was not charged. When asked if would do it again knowing that he would be charged, he said "Yes".
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PO1 John Meyer, CPC
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While I support anyone's 1st Amendment rights....

I would have to call out their stupidity in stomping on the very symbol that represents their ability to do what they are doing. Not only that, but the very symbol that gives them the ability to actually make something of themselves. All it takes is a little effort. Just ask any immigrant (legal or illegal) who came to America with little more than the clothes on their back and a dream in their head.
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SPC Charles Brown
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Remembering that we as service members all swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, I believe this, sadly, falls under the category of freedom of speech guaranteed by the 1st amendment.

That being said I would go with option 3 recover the Flag by force if necessary without injuring anyone intentionally. Others may feel differently, and that is their choice, but this is our Nations Standard and should be revered by our citizenry.

So much for my .02
C.
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Capt Retired
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I absolutely abhor people desecrating to flag. BUT, our supreme court has said that this is a freedom of speech issue and that it is legal.

That said, if we honor our oath what choice do we have?
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Bryan Zeski
11 y
Our Oath is to the Constitution and not the flag, nor the government.
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MSG(P) Owner/Operator
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Unfortunately, it's their constitutional right to do so; no matter how disgusting and distasteful I find it.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Bryan Zeski
11 y
Why "unfortunately"? I thinks its very FORTUNATE that they have the right to exercise speech that I don't agree with. That's the whole point.
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MSG(P) Owner/Operator
MSG(P) (Join to see)
11 y
It's unfortunate in the fact that they don't truly understand what they are doing or why they are doing it. Nor do they understand that the flag isn't to be used for things of this nature. It's unfortunate that people feel the need to use such an act to get noticed. It's unfortunate that things have gotten so bad in our country that people are going that far to make a statement. It's unfortunate that people seem to be taking so much pleasure and pride in defacing the very symbol of the things they are taking advantage of by conducting the act to begin with. I defend their rights to do what they do, it's unfortunate because I disagree with how they are doing it. Many men stood for that flag that suffered much greater indignity, discrimination, and racial hatred. The flag stands for our lofty ideals, the people we aspire to, the freedoms and liberties we feel inherent, it isn't a symbol of failures, short comings or human nature. So yes. I support and defend their rights but it's unfortunate that it has come to that. There are far more appropriate means and far more appropriate symbols to tread upon than the U.S. Flag. Especially as the issues are local issues, not systemic.
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SSG Warren Swan
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I do not like it when I see people using the flag in any manner inconsistent than the manner it was designed, but as a Vet, I swore that I would uphold the Constitution; even when I don't agree with the situation. With that said, its equally bad when someone stomps on a flag(which I don't like) uses the flag as a way of covering nudity (as seen with the AF TSgt who was in playboy, yet got in a scuffle with demonstrators over the flag), or the Marine who was in uniform holding the flag upside down to show a nation in distress. (He was not active when this was done). I damn sure am not going to go to jail over it. What would that solve, how would I pay my bills when I loose everything while in jail? And how stupid would that make the Vet community look to the "regular" folks who've never served or are thinking about joining? "Ohh those servicemembers are a bunch of loony's, or that's why I didn't join". I'd want the public to see us for what we are and that's a bunch of determined "Git er Done" at all costs, intelligent, thoughtful, and resilient individuals who do still care about our nation (maybe too much).
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SPC Tony Bucaro
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I'm an old school Infantry Soldier and this is how I see it ..... I signed a blank check with my life to defend the flag and this great nation. I lost brothers and sisters who died defending this flag and this nation. If I was so willing to give my life for it for 8 years, kicking the shit out of someone for desecration of the flag and going to JAIL would be a piece of cake!!!
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CPT Signal Officer
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I deployed twice to combat for the idiots right to do it. It's my right not to watch.
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