Posted on Jun 26, 2015
There’s Only One Flag That US Service Members Should Honor?
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My fellow Southern soldiers, it is well past time to stop displaying the stars and bars.
Like many white Southerners, I grew up idolizing Confederate generals like Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and George Pickett, and J. E. B. Stuart, and hating Sherman.
My ancestors, the Dixons, fought for the Confederacy. There is ample evidence that at least some of them owned slaves. After the war was over, many continued marauding as outlaws in Texas, where a large contingent of them rode with John Wesley Hardin. It was noted at the time that Hardin’s gang was especially violent in its treatment of Yankees. The Civil War did not end quietly for the Dixons.
I suppose I have as much right as anyone to lay claim to the idea that the Confederate flag is my “heritage.”
But why would I want to?
Just because my forefathers fought for slavery, why would I want to fly the bloody banner under which they fought, particularly since I joined and served honorably in the United States Army, the very Army which they fought against? Why would I choose to “honor” a legacy of hate and repression, and at the same time, wave it away with a claim that I don’t mean anything hateful by it?
Would I accept the same justification from a soldier whose last name was Hess or Bormann or Frick and wanted to fly a swastika?
As a troop commander, I made more than a few soldiers remove the stars and bars from trucks or barracks rooms. None of them ever expressed any guilt for the actions of the Confederacy, because, as they pointed out, it wasn’t as if they’d ever owned slaves or fought to preserve someone else’s right to do so. The next question always seemed to get them: If they don’t feel guilt over something they took no part in, how can they feel pride?
What we soldiers should feel pride about is the flag that is on our sleeve, the flag under which we fought and died, the flag under which we buried our fellow soldiers who paid that “last full measure of devotion.” That flag is the American flag, the flag of a country that is not perfect, but one still founded on the “self-evident” truth that “all men are created equal.”
The American flag flew proudly over the government that finally declared the Emancipation Proclamation, that recognized slavery as a historic injustice. That’s the flag that still flies. That’s the flag we should be proud of.
What is the legacy of the Confederate flag that flies off so many cars and trucks in barracks parking lots or hangs in pictures on the walls in offices of officers and noncommissioned officers alike?
What is the legacy of the Confederate flag?
In his farewell address as a United States senator in 1861, Jefferson Davis said that Mississippi “has heard proclaimed the theory that all men are created free and equal, and this made the basis of an attack upon her social institutions” when explaining why Mississippi must leave the Union. The social institution in question was not state’s rights, but slavery.
Alexander Stephens, the vice-president of the Confederacy, was even more blunt: “Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests upon the great truth, that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery — subordination to the superior race — is his natural and normal condition.”
In a military in which Southerners sweat and bleed and die — men and women of every nationality and ethnicity — in a service culture on which we depend and they us, why would I ever want to stain myself with a flag whose founders declared them to be unequal? How can that possibly be conducive to good order and discipline?
The Army’s values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. How does a flag founded on the principles of naked, unashamed bigotry and racial injustice comport with those values?
Simply, it does not.
The Confederate flag always was, and still is, about slavery. That bloodstained banner is what it is, and no amount of justification will make it something else.
It is the flag of injustice, and of treason. It is the flag of disunity and discord. It should not be afforded a place of honor, and it should have no appeal to those of us have served or still serve an Army and a country committed to unity.
My fellow Southern soldiers, it is well past time to stop displaying the stars and bars.
When I look back at the history of my family and I want something to honor, I take the example of my grandfather, James Dixon. He was an NCO in the Marines who fought at Iwo Jima. In the late 1940s, he was very active in the Raleigh, North Carolina, chapter of the American Legion. Sometime in the 1950s, a black officer attended a meeting. Whether invited by a member or just because he could, no one has ever been able to figure out. As one might imagine given the climate in the South at the time, the black officer’s reception was hostile.
My grandfather, who by this time was a popular member of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, took a stand. He publicly left the meeting, proclaiming that he would have nothing further to do with the American Legion until they learned to pay proper respect to officers, no matter what their color.
Only after the Legion Chapter apologized did my grandfather return.
That’s the military legacy of my family I choose to honor, and I urge all other soldiers who consider themselves the South’s sons to do the same.
http://taskandpurpose.com/theres-only-one-flag-that-us-service-members-should-honor/
Like many white Southerners, I grew up idolizing Confederate generals like Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and George Pickett, and J. E. B. Stuart, and hating Sherman.
My ancestors, the Dixons, fought for the Confederacy. There is ample evidence that at least some of them owned slaves. After the war was over, many continued marauding as outlaws in Texas, where a large contingent of them rode with John Wesley Hardin. It was noted at the time that Hardin’s gang was especially violent in its treatment of Yankees. The Civil War did not end quietly for the Dixons.
I suppose I have as much right as anyone to lay claim to the idea that the Confederate flag is my “heritage.”
But why would I want to?
Just because my forefathers fought for slavery, why would I want to fly the bloody banner under which they fought, particularly since I joined and served honorably in the United States Army, the very Army which they fought against? Why would I choose to “honor” a legacy of hate and repression, and at the same time, wave it away with a claim that I don’t mean anything hateful by it?
Would I accept the same justification from a soldier whose last name was Hess or Bormann or Frick and wanted to fly a swastika?
As a troop commander, I made more than a few soldiers remove the stars and bars from trucks or barracks rooms. None of them ever expressed any guilt for the actions of the Confederacy, because, as they pointed out, it wasn’t as if they’d ever owned slaves or fought to preserve someone else’s right to do so. The next question always seemed to get them: If they don’t feel guilt over something they took no part in, how can they feel pride?
What we soldiers should feel pride about is the flag that is on our sleeve, the flag under which we fought and died, the flag under which we buried our fellow soldiers who paid that “last full measure of devotion.” That flag is the American flag, the flag of a country that is not perfect, but one still founded on the “self-evident” truth that “all men are created equal.”
The American flag flew proudly over the government that finally declared the Emancipation Proclamation, that recognized slavery as a historic injustice. That’s the flag that still flies. That’s the flag we should be proud of.
What is the legacy of the Confederate flag that flies off so many cars and trucks in barracks parking lots or hangs in pictures on the walls in offices of officers and noncommissioned officers alike?
What is the legacy of the Confederate flag?
In his farewell address as a United States senator in 1861, Jefferson Davis said that Mississippi “has heard proclaimed the theory that all men are created free and equal, and this made the basis of an attack upon her social institutions” when explaining why Mississippi must leave the Union. The social institution in question was not state’s rights, but slavery.
Alexander Stephens, the vice-president of the Confederacy, was even more blunt: “Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests upon the great truth, that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery — subordination to the superior race — is his natural and normal condition.”
In a military in which Southerners sweat and bleed and die — men and women of every nationality and ethnicity — in a service culture on which we depend and they us, why would I ever want to stain myself with a flag whose founders declared them to be unequal? How can that possibly be conducive to good order and discipline?
The Army’s values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. How does a flag founded on the principles of naked, unashamed bigotry and racial injustice comport with those values?
Simply, it does not.
The Confederate flag always was, and still is, about slavery. That bloodstained banner is what it is, and no amount of justification will make it something else.
It is the flag of injustice, and of treason. It is the flag of disunity and discord. It should not be afforded a place of honor, and it should have no appeal to those of us have served or still serve an Army and a country committed to unity.
My fellow Southern soldiers, it is well past time to stop displaying the stars and bars.
When I look back at the history of my family and I want something to honor, I take the example of my grandfather, James Dixon. He was an NCO in the Marines who fought at Iwo Jima. In the late 1940s, he was very active in the Raleigh, North Carolina, chapter of the American Legion. Sometime in the 1950s, a black officer attended a meeting. Whether invited by a member or just because he could, no one has ever been able to figure out. As one might imagine given the climate in the South at the time, the black officer’s reception was hostile.
My grandfather, who by this time was a popular member of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, took a stand. He publicly left the meeting, proclaiming that he would have nothing further to do with the American Legion until they learned to pay proper respect to officers, no matter what their color.
Only after the Legion Chapter apologized did my grandfather return.
That’s the military legacy of my family I choose to honor, and I urge all other soldiers who consider themselves the South’s sons to do the same.
http://taskandpurpose.com/theres-only-one-flag-that-us-service-members-should-honor/
Confederate Flag
Honor
Respect
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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I am not sure how to weigh in on this. As a "damn Yankee", we didn't see the Confederate flag much, when we did it was on media illustrated to represent the KKK (or later, the Dukes of Hazard", but mostly the former). I am an educated person, so I can see many sides to the argument.
I proudly salute my stars and stripes. That's my story. I am sticking to it. :)
I proudly salute my stars and stripes. That's my story. I am sticking to it. :)
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CSM (Join to see)
I personally cannot waste not even one of my precious give a f*cks on anything that is going on in the media these days but, I thought the below blurb was interesting.
History books, the media, the school systems, etc abound in falsehoods and inaccuracies of Confederate and Southern history. This fact sheet will help to clarify and dispell some of these rampant inaccuracies.
MYTH - The War of 1861 - 1865 was fought over slavery.
FACT - Terribly untrue. The North fought the war over money. Plain and simple. When the South started Secession, Lincoln was asked, "Why not let the South go in peace?" To which he replied, "I can't let them go. Who would pay for the government?" Sensing total financial ruin for the North, Lincoln waged war on the South. The South fought the War to repel Northern aggression and invasion.
MYTH - Only Southerners owned slaves.
FACT - Entirely untrue. Many Northern civilians owned slaves. Prior to, during and even after the War Of Northern Aggression.
Surprisingly, to many history impaired individuals, most Union Generals and staff had slaves to serve them! William T. Sherman had many slaves that served him until well after the war was over and did not free them until late in 1865.
U.S. Grant also had several slaves, who were only freed after the 13th amendment in December of 1865. When asked why he didn't free his slaves earlier, Grant stated "Good help is so hard to come by these days."
Contrarily, Confederate General Robert E. Lee freed his slaves (which he never purchased - they were inherited) in 1862!!! Lee freed his slaves several years before the war was over, and considerably earlier than his Northern counterparts. And during the fierce early days of the war when the South was obliterating the Yankee armies!
Lastly, and most importantly, why did NORTHERN States outlaw slavery only AFTER the war was over? The so-called "Emancipation Proclamation" of Lincoln only gave freedom to slaves in the SOUTH! NOT in the North! This pecksniffery even went so far as to find the state of Delaware rejecting the 13th Amendment in December of 1865 and did not ratify it (13th Amendment / free the slaves) until 1901!
MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag was flown on slave ships.
FACT - NONE of the flags of the Confederacy or Southern Nation ever flew over a slave ship. Nor did the South own or operate any slaves ships. The English, the Dutch and the Portugese brought slaves to this country, not the Southern Nation.
BUT, even more monumental, it is also very important to know and understand that Federal, Yankee, Union ships brought slaves to America! These ships were from the New England states, and their hypocrisy is atrocious.
These Federals were ones that ended up crying the loudest about slavery. But without their ships, many of the slaves would have never arrived here. They made countless fortunes on the delivery of slaves as well as the products madefrom raw materials such as cotton and tobacco in the South.
This is the problem with Yankee history History is overwhelmingly portrayed incorrectly by most of the Federal & Yankee books and media.
MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag represented the Southern Nation.
FACT - Not true. While the Southern Battle flag was carried into battle, the Southern Nation had 3 different National flags during the course of the war.
The First National flag was changed due to a resemblance of the US flag.
The Second National flag was subsequently modified due to the similarity to a flag of truce.
The Third National flag was the adopted flag of the Confederacy.
The Confederate Battle Flag was never a National Flag of the Confederacy. It was carried into battle by several armies such as the Army Of Northen Virginia and the Army of Tennessee. Was also used as a Naval Jack by the Confederate Navy.
MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag is known as the "Stars & Bars".
FACT - A common misconception. The First National Confederate Flag is correctly known as the "Stars & Bars". The Confederate Battle Flag is known as the "Southern Cross".
MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag represents racism today.
FACT - The Confederate Battle Flag today finds itself in the center of much controversy and hoopla going on in several states. The cry to take this flag down is unjustified. It is very important to keep in mind that the Confederate Battle Flag was simply just that. A battle flag. It was never even a National flag, so how could it have flown over a slave nation or represented slavery or racism? This myth is continued by lack of education and ignorance. Those that villify the Confederate Battle Flag are very confused about history and have jumped upon a bandwagon with loose wheels.
MYTH - The United States Flag represented freedom.
FACT - No chance. The US flag flew over a slave nation for over 85 years! The North tolerated slavery and acknowledged it as a Division Of Labor. The North made a vast fortune on slavery and it's commodities. It wasn't until the South decided to leave the Union that the North objected. The North knew it could not survive without the Southern money. That is the true definition of hypocrisy.
MYTH - Abraham Lincoln was the Great Emancipator.
FACT - While Lincoln has went down in history as the Great Emancipator, many would not care to hear his real thoughts on people of color. Martyred President Abraham Lincoln was fervently making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America once the war was over. Knowing that African society would never allow the slaves to return back to Africa, Lincoln also did not want the slaves in the US. He thought the jungles of Central America would be the best solution and conducive to the freed slaves best interest. The only thing that kept this from happening, was his assassination.
MYTH - The South revered slavery.
FACT - A very interesting fact on slavery is that at the time the War of 1861 -1865 officially commenced, the Southern States were actually in the process of freeing all slaves in the South. Russia had freed it's servants in 1859, and the South took great note of this. Had military intervention not been forced upon the South, a very different America would have been realized then as well as now.
MYTH - The Confederate Army was comprised of rich slave owners.
FACT - Very far from true. The vast majority of soldiers in the Confederate Army were simple men of meager income. Most of which were hard working farmers and common men. Then, as now, very few rich men ever fight a war.
MYTH - Only the North had men of color in their ranks.
FACT - Quite simply a major falsehood of history. Many blacks, both free and of their own will, joined the Confederate Army to fight for their beloved Southern home. Additionally, men of other ethnic extraction fought as well. Oriental, Mexican & Spanish men as well as Native American Indians fought with pride for the South.
Today, many men of color are members in the heritage group SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans. These men of color and pride rejoice in their heritage. The continued attacks on the Southern Nation, The Confederacy, and her symbols are a terrible outrage to these fine people. These attacks should be denounced with as much fervor as those who denounce the South.
MYTH - The Confederate Flags are an authorized symbol of Aryan, KKK and hate groups.
FACT - Quite the contrary. These dispicable organizations such as the KKK and Aryans have taken a hallowed piece of history, and have plagued good Southern folks and the memories of fine Confederate Soldiers that fought under the flag with their perverse agenda. IN NO WAY does the Confederate Flag represent hate or violence. Heritage groups such as the SCV battle daily the damage done to a proud nation by these hate groups. The SCV denounces all hate groups, and pridefully boast HERITAGE - NOT HATE.
MYTH - The SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans are a racist, hate group.
FACT - This is a blatant attack on one of the finest heritage groups ever. The SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans are a historical, patriotic and non-political organization comprised of descendents of Confederate Soldiers and sailors dedicated to insuring that a true history of the 1861 -1865 period is preserved and presented to the public. The SCV continues to educate the public of the memory and reputation of the Confederate soldier as well as the motives for his suffering and sacrifice.
The SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans are in NO WAY affiliated with, nor does it recognize or condone the terrible legacy of hate groups such as the KKK.
History books, the media, the school systems, etc abound in falsehoods and inaccuracies of Confederate and Southern history. This fact sheet will help to clarify and dispell some of these rampant inaccuracies.
MYTH - The War of 1861 - 1865 was fought over slavery.
FACT - Terribly untrue. The North fought the war over money. Plain and simple. When the South started Secession, Lincoln was asked, "Why not let the South go in peace?" To which he replied, "I can't let them go. Who would pay for the government?" Sensing total financial ruin for the North, Lincoln waged war on the South. The South fought the War to repel Northern aggression and invasion.
MYTH - Only Southerners owned slaves.
FACT - Entirely untrue. Many Northern civilians owned slaves. Prior to, during and even after the War Of Northern Aggression.
Surprisingly, to many history impaired individuals, most Union Generals and staff had slaves to serve them! William T. Sherman had many slaves that served him until well after the war was over and did not free them until late in 1865.
U.S. Grant also had several slaves, who were only freed after the 13th amendment in December of 1865. When asked why he didn't free his slaves earlier, Grant stated "Good help is so hard to come by these days."
Contrarily, Confederate General Robert E. Lee freed his slaves (which he never purchased - they were inherited) in 1862!!! Lee freed his slaves several years before the war was over, and considerably earlier than his Northern counterparts. And during the fierce early days of the war when the South was obliterating the Yankee armies!
Lastly, and most importantly, why did NORTHERN States outlaw slavery only AFTER the war was over? The so-called "Emancipation Proclamation" of Lincoln only gave freedom to slaves in the SOUTH! NOT in the North! This pecksniffery even went so far as to find the state of Delaware rejecting the 13th Amendment in December of 1865 and did not ratify it (13th Amendment / free the slaves) until 1901!
MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag was flown on slave ships.
FACT - NONE of the flags of the Confederacy or Southern Nation ever flew over a slave ship. Nor did the South own or operate any slaves ships. The English, the Dutch and the Portugese brought slaves to this country, not the Southern Nation.
BUT, even more monumental, it is also very important to know and understand that Federal, Yankee, Union ships brought slaves to America! These ships were from the New England states, and their hypocrisy is atrocious.
These Federals were ones that ended up crying the loudest about slavery. But without their ships, many of the slaves would have never arrived here. They made countless fortunes on the delivery of slaves as well as the products madefrom raw materials such as cotton and tobacco in the South.
This is the problem with Yankee history History is overwhelmingly portrayed incorrectly by most of the Federal & Yankee books and media.
MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag represented the Southern Nation.
FACT - Not true. While the Southern Battle flag was carried into battle, the Southern Nation had 3 different National flags during the course of the war.
The First National flag was changed due to a resemblance of the US flag.
The Second National flag was subsequently modified due to the similarity to a flag of truce.
The Third National flag was the adopted flag of the Confederacy.
The Confederate Battle Flag was never a National Flag of the Confederacy. It was carried into battle by several armies such as the Army Of Northen Virginia and the Army of Tennessee. Was also used as a Naval Jack by the Confederate Navy.
MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag is known as the "Stars & Bars".
FACT - A common misconception. The First National Confederate Flag is correctly known as the "Stars & Bars". The Confederate Battle Flag is known as the "Southern Cross".
MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag represents racism today.
FACT - The Confederate Battle Flag today finds itself in the center of much controversy and hoopla going on in several states. The cry to take this flag down is unjustified. It is very important to keep in mind that the Confederate Battle Flag was simply just that. A battle flag. It was never even a National flag, so how could it have flown over a slave nation or represented slavery or racism? This myth is continued by lack of education and ignorance. Those that villify the Confederate Battle Flag are very confused about history and have jumped upon a bandwagon with loose wheels.
MYTH - The United States Flag represented freedom.
FACT - No chance. The US flag flew over a slave nation for over 85 years! The North tolerated slavery and acknowledged it as a Division Of Labor. The North made a vast fortune on slavery and it's commodities. It wasn't until the South decided to leave the Union that the North objected. The North knew it could not survive without the Southern money. That is the true definition of hypocrisy.
MYTH - Abraham Lincoln was the Great Emancipator.
FACT - While Lincoln has went down in history as the Great Emancipator, many would not care to hear his real thoughts on people of color. Martyred President Abraham Lincoln was fervently making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America once the war was over. Knowing that African society would never allow the slaves to return back to Africa, Lincoln also did not want the slaves in the US. He thought the jungles of Central America would be the best solution and conducive to the freed slaves best interest. The only thing that kept this from happening, was his assassination.
MYTH - The South revered slavery.
FACT - A very interesting fact on slavery is that at the time the War of 1861 -1865 officially commenced, the Southern States were actually in the process of freeing all slaves in the South. Russia had freed it's servants in 1859, and the South took great note of this. Had military intervention not been forced upon the South, a very different America would have been realized then as well as now.
MYTH - The Confederate Army was comprised of rich slave owners.
FACT - Very far from true. The vast majority of soldiers in the Confederate Army were simple men of meager income. Most of which were hard working farmers and common men. Then, as now, very few rich men ever fight a war.
MYTH - Only the North had men of color in their ranks.
FACT - Quite simply a major falsehood of history. Many blacks, both free and of their own will, joined the Confederate Army to fight for their beloved Southern home. Additionally, men of other ethnic extraction fought as well. Oriental, Mexican & Spanish men as well as Native American Indians fought with pride for the South.
Today, many men of color are members in the heritage group SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans. These men of color and pride rejoice in their heritage. The continued attacks on the Southern Nation, The Confederacy, and her symbols are a terrible outrage to these fine people. These attacks should be denounced with as much fervor as those who denounce the South.
MYTH - The Confederate Flags are an authorized symbol of Aryan, KKK and hate groups.
FACT - Quite the contrary. These dispicable organizations such as the KKK and Aryans have taken a hallowed piece of history, and have plagued good Southern folks and the memories of fine Confederate Soldiers that fought under the flag with their perverse agenda. IN NO WAY does the Confederate Flag represent hate or violence. Heritage groups such as the SCV battle daily the damage done to a proud nation by these hate groups. The SCV denounces all hate groups, and pridefully boast HERITAGE - NOT HATE.
MYTH - The SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans are a racist, hate group.
FACT - This is a blatant attack on one of the finest heritage groups ever. The SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans are a historical, patriotic and non-political organization comprised of descendents of Confederate Soldiers and sailors dedicated to insuring that a true history of the 1861 -1865 period is preserved and presented to the public. The SCV continues to educate the public of the memory and reputation of the Confederate soldier as well as the motives for his suffering and sacrifice.
The SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans are in NO WAY affiliated with, nor does it recognize or condone the terrible legacy of hate groups such as the KKK.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
CSM (Join to see) -
Yeah, that's all fine and dandy, KB, but where do you land on the Dukes of Hazard? Did you see yourself as Bo or Luke? :)
Yeah, that's all fine and dandy, KB, but where do you land on the Dukes of Hazard? Did you see yourself as Bo or Luke? :)
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The two flags mentioned in OP are not both US flags. As a military service member, yes, the only flag that I honor is the current US Flag. The confederate battle flag to me represents a piece of American history (nothing more) and cannot be ignored - I love this country and when you love something, you take the good and the bad.
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SSG John Erny
CMSgt Mark Schubert - I like the historical flags because, I like history. It is fun to study.
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