Warbird Information Exchange

... like a strong and honorable man, as opposed to sitting on your disillusioned *ss showing nothing but your ignorance towards your cause. I'm not sure why your countries flag needs to be disrespected in the process. Can't speak for other flags, but the flag I was raised to stand with my hand over my heart for a few minutes, mean't something good and not something awful or unfair. I believe in a free country that treats ALL it's people equally and fair and respects the very things that allow us to live a free life. I work hard to do my part. We're a flawed country for sure with horrible things that are wrong and tragic, but I'm not convinced the flag needs to take the blame. Thrust me, there's other ways, better ways and more constructive ways to make your causes be heard. Have I not posted enough photos to at least assist those who are still unsure that at least our flag should be held in honor and respect? I'm confident most everyone who frequents this site "gets it" clearly. Shame we can't expose those who "don't get it" to our small world of influence here on WIX. For those of you who know what/who I'm referring to with this post I emphasize that I'm in complete support of "the cause" but NOT the "approach" ....

There's better ways people ... leave the flag out of it ... Just one guy's humble opinion.


Flag that flew over Hickam Field on December 7th, 1941


The flag that flew over Hickam Field, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941, being raised at an American base in Japan in 1945.


An F6F-5 Hellcat of VF-47 on the deck of USS Bataan (CVL-29) while an honor guard carries a flag draped body. The ONLY tragic way that anyone has earned the right not to stand in the presence of our flag.

_________________
45+47=Psalm 92:6

For those who have sent me a PM asking "what the heck are you whining about now?" ... I'll tell ya! We (as in the USA) have more than a few multi-millionaire professional athletes who have chosen to sit or kneel during the playing of our national anthem and display of our flag. The protests are warranted and understandable regarding wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States, but the methods and messages are flawed and pointed in the wrong direction IMO. There's better ways that can, and will, get the message sent in the right direction with far better results. This approach being used is doing the opposite of what these protesters are trying to accomplish. It's separating us who care and not bringing us together as it should.

Sorry no warbird stuff here.

_________________
45+47=Psalm 92:6

Mark, I got home the other day to find my neighbor running over to me to tell me "what happened" while I was at work. Somehow, my flag, always flying at my front door, fell into the shrubs. (wind or bad actors, don't know) He said a car stopped, a guy in a kilt jumped out, put the flag back in the mount and drove off. We were having a Highland Games Fest at the Fairgrounds this weekend. Great to know there are still good young people out there that get it.

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

A piece of cloth is a piece of cloth.

A bad song is a bad song.

You can load these things up with whatever symbolic value you want. Don't blame others if they attach different symbolic value, or none at all. It doesn't mean they care less about their country than you do. Indeed, people who really care about America are more concerned with its real problems than with rituals and symbols.

What we especially don't need is people coercively imposing their views of patriotic behavior on others. How others react to flags and anthems really can't harm you and is none of your business.

Thus when you say that being dead is "The ONLY tragic way that anyone has earned the right not to stand in the presence of our flag," you are dead wrong. We are all born with that right, it is one of the rights our vets fought for, and we should preserve it.

It's weird enough that we play the anthem at sporting events at all. Maybe we should play it at the start of the work day in every company, just so we can all stand-check our co-workers for sufficient patriotism. They used to do that in the USSR, maybe still do it in China.

August

That piece of cloth means a lot to a great many who indeed care about the larger issues with this country. The respect we give to the flag is a silent thanks to the people feeling a need to protect you and those who sacrificed everything to allow you to practice patriotism or not. Think of it like a contract. You are able to stay safe at your home and sip your coffee because someone is patriotic enough to man the gates. These people have sworn to protect your life with their life, whether the threat comes from other humans or volcanoes, rivers, animals etc. The one and only thing that would make them take such a drastic oath is patriotism.

These people would make their bodies a bridge and would never let you drown. Because they care about their country so much. The guys who are whining about the need for patriotism probably are not of much use. The world is a brutally dangerous place. These patriotic people provide a facade of calmness for you, so that you might have the comfort of posting your thoughts and opinions. At times of anarchy, when patriotism evaporates, you will see the world in its real form. Look up the history of failed states or lands with no organized societies. Armies would loot, plunder and rape. A professional army that is built on patriotism would seldom do that.

When you look up to your flag with respect, you are somewhat satisfying your side of the contract. Thus, when you stop paying respect to your nation, while still expecting to be protected like any other citizen, you are just being a hypocrite.

But that's just me. (and two uncles KIA)

_________________
45+47=Psalm 92:6

I wholeheartedly agree: I served my country for 24 years and see no need to stand for the flag; nor indeed respect it. But there's rarely a day goes by that I don't take time to think about those who gave their lives so I'd have the choice.

There is enough in this world that is far more important than getting pissy about one person's rag being more important than another's. We know what these protests mean, so instead of hijacking that cause and being sanctimonious about the way it's done, maybe we should think long and hard about what others have lost. Or what they never had.

The First Amendment isn't just for pro-government speech. The First Amendment is part of the Constitution that every soldier swears to protect and defend when they put on the uniform. That is all.

_________________
Matt

All of this.

The First Amendment does not exist to protect speech that is agreeable to the majority. It exists to protect speech that is unpopular and disagreeable - often to the majority.

The means of expression may be uncomfortable, misdirected or even ill-conceived. But the right to expression is unassailable.

Just in case any of you all were wondering bout the socks kap was wearing you might want to GOOGLE COPBLOCK and do a search on youtube. And may also do one on fee freekeene.

Thanks for the post Mark. I believe we owe it to our country (no matter which country that is yours) to stand and give thanks for the freedoms and protections that are provided. No country is perfect, no government without wrong. But in most cases with the modern world today the people of their respective country make it what it is. If the person in question really looked objectively at the issues he is supposedly objecting to he may see a different reality.
We have the freedom to choose, we should also look at all of the positives we have that go into that choice. I for one will stand with my hand over my heart and my cap removed to show respect to those that have given so much to allow me the freedom to choose.

36 U.S. Code § 301 - National anthem

Current through Pub. L. 114-38. (See Public Laws for the current Congress.)
US Code
Notes
prev | next
(a)Designation.—
The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b)Conduct During Playing.—During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1263; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, § 595, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4475.)

_________________
Always looking for P-51D parts.

That 'ole' cloth can look good painted on an 'ole' airplane too. Thankfully we Americans have the 'ole' 1st Amendment ... so that we all can wh'ole'heartedly agree to disagree on things that matter to some and don't matter to others. Good 'ole' US of A for ya.

_________________
45+47=Psalm 92:6

I agree fully.
While I get the motivations of those who are angered at 'disrespect' toward the flag, I am eternally grateful that this right exists.
When I think of a nation where you're forced to stand for the flag and any other conventions of what the older generation thinks to not do so is un-American, I realize that it smacks of what North Koreans or Germans between 38-45 had to deal with. Me, I'd much rather a country where you choose to stand or not stand for the anthem. That is the right I served for. It being a right, I'll stand, but that's my choice either way and I'd not have my nation conduct itself otherwise.

Now, all that said, the NFL could make standing a requirement of employment if they really wanted, but there is simply no way they'd lose a draft pick by releasing someone for something like that.

_________________
Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

At least Tom Brady isn't the most hated QB in the NFL anymore....

Free Brady...

Phil

_________________
A man's got to know his limitations.

He's a patriot, how could he be hated? and he's free to paint his boat anyway he likes.

_________________
45+47=Psalm 92:6

Considering the number of men and women who have died for that flag, this action by this immature NFL player is a total disgrace.

It was disgusting to see him sitting behind the men in uniform as the anthem was being played.

His display of hate towards the police is no different than what he accuses the police of being guilty of (which is the farthest from the truth).