Comments on: Why don’t we honor our fallen servicemembers?

By: CONCANNON

CONCANNON — Thu, 17 May 2007 18:49:12 +0000

Wilt should be embarassed he doesn’t know flag etiquette. It’s flown at half staff on Memorial day to honor fallen service men. Every year.

By: Bettyjane

Bettyjane — Thu, 03 May 2007 19:51:11 +0000

instead of having to fly the flag at half staff on and off why not just keep it that way untill all our troops come home that way it will remind everyone here that we have all those brave soilders over there fighting for us so we can be here and free. they are over there dying for US I commend each and every one of them. I also have a son in the Army and as a parent it is scary but I couldn’t be prouder. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR MILITARY GUY & GALS My Love and Prayers are with each one of you

By: Mike Farrell

Mike Farrell — Wed, 02 May 2007 00:02:51 +0000

An important tribute flag does exist for our soldiers. It’s the Armed Forces Memorial Tribute Flag and it was designed by my wife 3 years ago specifically to ensure that we NEVER FORGET the bravery, the commitment, the service and the sacrifice of our military men and women. We need to be sure that future generations understand and remember the price of freedom, and that this price is paid in blood by Americans, for Americans. This flag is the way to ensure that every serviceman or woman knows that we support them and that we don’t ever take them for granted. Go to http://www.neverforgetflag.us/ to learn more. Mike Farrell, of Never Forget Flag in NY.

By: John Ellison

John Ellison — Tue, 01 May 2007 23:53:21 +0000

The flag should have been at half staff since we went to war and since 9/11 and into are troops come home

By: Sam DeMario

Sam DeMario — Tue, 01 May 2007 21:32:29 +0000

I could never forget our troops. Because we disagree with the administration, does not mean we do not back and love our military.
We would be nothing without them……..

By: Jonnie Ivey

Jonnie Ivey — Tue, 01 May 2007 20:41:01 +0000

I also agree.
we flag the flag half for everything elase. why not for our young men and women.They deserve this honor and respect.

By: roberta

roberta — Tue, 01 May 2007 18:39:00 +0000

i agree let the flag fly at half mast until the war is over god bless all our boy’s in iraq

By: sherri

sherri — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:37:41 +0000

I agree!!! We fly the flag half staff when a President or anyone else in a political party passes, but do they forget that they were able to serve in that capacity because our men and women of the armed forces fought for their freedom to do so? SO why shouldnt we do something to respect them in return. I have read the comments and can see alot of the points: 1. If we flown every flag half staff everyday it might bring moral down, yes it might and we would miss the message to keep our heads up and stay strong, but each state, school or organization that has had a fallen soldier should fly their flag half staff and maybe the White House can fly 2 flags. One standing tall for all of the survivors and one flying half staff for all of the ones we have lost. That way we are representing and remembering everyone each and every day. Maybe we should have one day besides Memorial day observed for all of our fallen troops because of this war and read everyones name that we have lost. My heart goes out to the families of my service brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Some say that when we signed the papers we knew what we were in for and that is what we get paid to do according to one of the comments made. Let me tell you, there is no amount of money in this world that can bring a loved one back or mend the broken heart of a mother or father who has lost their child to a war they fought that maybe didnt need to be fought in the way it was fought. Some individuals joined the military to have a home because they didnt have one outside, some joined for many other reasons other than to “fight the war”. You, my friend, obviously havent served in our military and dont realize the pride we carry everyday in our hearts for our country. If you had, you would have never said that is what we get paid for. The citizens that worked in the World Trade Center got paid to do a job everyday and didnt sign papers but died and they didnt ask for it. Think before you speak, because you offended me and I am sure you offended other people as well.
Fly those flags high to support our troops and country and fly them half staff to respect, remember and mourn our loves ones that were lost because they decided to serve our country. God Bless America and everyone who served, serves and will serve. And everyone who lives here.
Sherri-Delaware

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 01 May 2007 13:31:33 +0000

I am so glad, to the core, that I am not a US citizen. It’s not that I respect the people that die face down in the mud and the blood and the guts in battles. It’s not that I don’t respect veterans.

But the drivel that is the flag-waving, drum-beating nationalistic noise that emanates from all of these pieces and the replies thereto is just not something I can stand.

As I said to some Israelis during the memorial day for the Israeli soldiers and citizens: I don’t respect a flag that’s at half mast to commemorate the puny 25.000 Israelis that fell during the last 60 years. I would respect the country that flew the flag at half mast for all the victims of the senseless killing

This would include the other armies that get sucked into this conflict by the US “if you’re not for us you’re against us” attitude, and all the innocent people that died because of escalations of violence in the region.

Where are the flags at half-mast for the Lebanese, Afghans and Iraqis who are crushed under the boots of the Marines or the militant factions of their own resistance?

Given all of the senseless violence that goes on in the name of Freedom and Democracy, I don’t even see the point of waving the flag at half mast specifically for the 32 people who died at the University. Walk into the favelas of Sao Paolo and tell these people that. They’d laugh at your faces.

Maybe all countries on this planet with innocent blood on their hands should keep their flags at half mast permanently to honour those that fell because of them. This includes former colonial powers such as the UK, France, Belgium and my own home the Netherlands.

I see no reason why any God should bless America in particular without gracing the rest of mankind with good fortune.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 01 May 2007 09:38:01 +0000

What a brilliant way to help remind Americans everyday of the mess we decided to get ourselves into and our sacrifices because of it.

I think we should fly at half mast until we are out of Iraq.

God bless America and the troops that protect us.

By: Donna

Donna — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:18:58 +0000

I totally agree with this soldier! I think the flag should be flown at half mast every time a military person loses his life in any kind of action where in service for our country. (Although right now it should probably just stay at half mast permanently until this farce of a “war” is over because our sons and daughters are losing their lives every day!) President Bush_wake up and smell the friggin coffee!!! When did this have to become such a bloodbath and why are we involved in this? There are NO WMD’s…….We killed Saddam…what more do you want except to give Halliburton more money? Lets look to home and take care of our own country which is in such disarray and chaos. God bless all the service men and women for having the courage to even be in the Middle east right now.

By: Janice

Janice — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 17:41:55 +0000

Thank You Sgt.
Finally someone said what everyone is thinking. I feel for the families of VT, but MY heart breaks everyday when I hear we lost another member of our military.

What is your problem President Bush!!! Where is your compassion for the families of the military? Bring our troops home and secure our borders, drop a few bombs, get it over with.

Thanks to all you that serve, have served, and to the families that lost thier loved one for us to walk around free!!!

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!!

By: Russel

Russel — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 03:59:34 +0000

How about a single day, May 1st (mission accomplished day) to honor all victims US and abroad of the war. It will be celebrated not only as a memorial to those who have fallen, and to the innocent civilians that have died, but also a day to remember how we got in that situation and use it as a reminder to be more careful of your actions as a voter and a citizen. A reminder of the errors of Vietnam and Iraq wars alike. A memorial should be erected in Washington; a flag permanently at halfstaff and a nameless coffin with a plaque that reads: “in honor of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of thousands of innocents that died of a preventable mistake. Never let this lesson be forgot: WHEN THE MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED BRING THE TROOPS HOME”

By: Sandy Wyrosdick

Sandy Wyrosdick — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:53:48 +0000

Thank you Sgt. Jim Wilt, a wonderful idea. Yes, flags should be flown at half-mast for our fallen soilders. A dignified way to honor their service and remember their sacrifice. I say, Let’s do it America. My flag will be flying at half-mast beginnning tomorrow and will remain until this war is declared over. Let’s get the legislation passed. I will write my Senators and Congressmen immediately.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:18:14 +0000

I quote Tony, who makes a damn good point

Half staff until they come home!

By: Sue Stoffel

Sue Stoffel — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:09:50 +0000

I totally agree that we do not do enough to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. My son served one year in Iraq and my deepest fear was that I would one day be the one to whom a folded flag from my son’s coffin would be presented. He came home safely, but sadly three members of his unit did not.
I am proud to say that my state, Wisconsin, orders flags flown at half-staff every time a soldier from our state is killed in action. We also flew our flags at half-staff in memory of those who died at Virginia Tech. When I walk into work each day that the flags are at half-staff, I am reminded of the ultimate sacrifice someone’s child made to give us the right to fly that flag. We must do more to honor these heroes and to teach the generations to come do the same. May God bless each and every single person who serves or has served America in our military.

By: John Cooper

John Cooper — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:48:50 +0000

When a young person signs up for the Armed Forces He or She knows from the beginning that there is a good chance that they will be shot at and might be killed. It is sad but true and that is what they are trained and paid for.
When a young person signs up and pays to go to school they don’t expect to get shot at. They should not have to worry about that. That is why it is such a sad day in this country when it happens.

By: Tom Stowe

Tom Stowe — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:45:54 +0000

YES INDEED THE FLAG SHOULD FLY AT HALF STAFF FOR OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS.
I myself have had my flag flying at half staff for at least two years without raising her back up to full staff.
This flag flys over a white concrete marker with the following words printed on it.
“IN HONOR OF THOSE WHOSE BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILT, BECAUSE THOSE IN POWER CAN’T SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES IN ANY OTHER WAY BUT WAR”
Out of the top of this marker comes a blue cross that turns into a red and white flag pole.
At the top flys four ribbons: one black, one white, one red, and one yellow which to me represents all of the human race.
I made this monument not only to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers, but to also honor the peace activists whose lives have been cut short in their pursuit of a better world.
SO SHOULD THE FLAG BE FLOWN AT HALF STAFF FOR THE FALLEN SOLDIERS —> MOST DEFINITLY!
My flag will be flying at half staff until this war ends or maybe till the day the word war no longer exists.

Peace and Love from Tom in T.C. Mi.

By: debbie

debbie — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:33:29 +0000

I agree our soldiers that have fallen and are injured are not getting the respect they deserve. I noticed flags being handed out during a church service for the Tech dead. This is a practice performed at the funeral of one who has given his/or her life in the service of their country. What happened at VT was a terrible tragedy, but we should not confuse it with the sacrifices made by the military and their families. The flags at half staff are another matter. I may be wrong but I thought some of the students killed were from other countries. I realize it’s not feasible to do this at the death of all serviceman but I find it hard to believe it means the same for 32 students as the President of the United States. Maybe it would mean more to stop the selling of assault weapons.

This country needs to come together for more than the terrible deaths of 32 students.

Some traditions we have in these United States need to stay firm. The flags at funerals and the flags at half staff are for people who have served and /or died for their country. Every soldier injured or killed in the service of this country is a much bigger tragedy, they were doing it for you and me.

I speak as the wife of a retired USMC SGT MAJ. and the mother of a son who has served in Iraq with the 101st while in the Air Force and is due to go back next March. God Bless America and all who Protect it.

By: Margaret Anderson

Margaret Anderson — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:14:48 +0000

Thanks to the serviceman who raised the issue of honoring those killed on active duty. When it became public that no pictures could be shown of Dover air base or the caskets, I thought it was disrespectful. St. Louis, MO news media do give publicity to deaths and funerals of men and women
of the armed services from the metropolitan area.