I'm new and had to vent to some who cares!!

[cwsullivan]

Hello. My name is Sullivan. I am a member of the national guard. I do not wish to stir trouble but I have an issue. I am serving our great country in Afghanistan and recently the 101st airborne brigade made it a rule not to fly the American flag on base. They reason this with a silly thought that it may offend the locals. I have expressed my dislike but no one seems to care. I was wondering was this something put out by my government and I did not know or is it just a 101 thing or what? To say that our flag on our base is offensive to the locals is ludacris. The flag is an icon of the country I'm fighting for and whats worse is its my brothers in arms not allowing me to fly my flag. They have lost friends defending it just like me. I'm sure their grandfathers fought for the flag in WWII just like mine did. I don't understand and needed to vent this issue to some one who I hope cares as much as I do.

[NAVA1974]

Hello Sullivan,

Thank you for the service you are giving to our nation.

To answer you question I would have to know just what "offense" the locals would take to the flag. Is it just because their feelings are hurt because of so many Americans in country? Are they angry enough to mount a military offensive because of the flag? Does it undermine the Afghan government's ability to rule if they are seen as a puppet government put in place by the occupuying Americans?

To me, it makes as much sense as the "subdued" American flag that is worn on camo uniforms-you are proud to serve your country, but there's no sense in being more of a target than you have to be.

Welcome to the fourm!

Nick

[cwsullivan]

Dear Nava.

I agree with not being more of a target then needed, but like you said we wear the flag on our shoulder. That is no different then putting our flag on a pole on post. I have dealt with the local population and of those I have met only the terrorist and insurgents are offended. Anyway thanks for listening and responding.

[flagnazi]

Sullivan: I, too, am new to this site, just today as a matter of fact. First, I would like to echo NAVA, Thank you for your service! I also have to agree with NAVA's questions. I would certainly hope it is not the PC thing about not offending locals. I would like to think that it more about not spotlighting your location and making you any more of a target than you already are. Certainly the insurgents know where you are but also it may be so that the flag is not removed and then defamed to show their strength over the US and that we can't do anything to stop them, not even prevent them from taking a flag from their base. Of course, all of this is conjecture. Personally, I would ask your commander first for an explanation. I repeat, I think it probably has more to do with protection than being concerned about offending the locals, at least I hope so.

[mcgeedo]

CW,

Thank you for your service. America is grateful.

If it is a tactical decision having to do with making a target, then I would support it. Anything that protects my country's bravest is a good thing.

If it is a decision based on PC and not offending someone, then I violently disagree. I WANT our enemies to be offended, every chance we can get.