[PRGringo]

I really despise politics on forums that are not political forums. Cindykohl, whoever she is, joins here and make ONE post that has NOTHING to do with purpose of this forum.

While this post was allowed to remain is not my perogative to question but I can choose to not participate when a forum goes wrong, IMHO.

Whatever. Fly your flags upside down, inside out, and use them as you wish.

I just wanted to be able to discuss flags, not politics.

[Robersabel]

>You have correctly noted that flying the flag of the United States upside down has become a symbol of protest.

Does the following allow me to display the flag upside down?

This Memorial Day weekend I am experiencing a tradition in jeopardy. The tradition of honoring our veterans that fought, and those died for our country (including WWII) so we may enjoy freedom, today. The tradition is being threatened by the recent passing of Amendment 200 (40) to HR 5136. “Would expand the eligibility for the Army Combat Action Badge to those soldiers that served during the dates ranging from December 7, 1941, to September 18, 2001.”

I am referring to an unknown number, perhaps thousands of combat veterans that participated in the battles of Bataan, Corregidor, and the Bulge that have yet to be recognized for their service. They fought along side of recipients of the Bronze Star Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). Please note: All recipients of the CIB during WWII are entitled to the Bronze Star Medal. This Amendment will take precedence over at least three War Department Circulars effective during WWII that identify circumstances for combat veterans to qualify the CIB. It will mean future requests by many veterans, and next of kin of veterans will be authorized the Army Combat Action Badge, and does not warrant the Bronze Star Medal. This is not justice since they were assigned to like units, and fought the same battle(s), meeting circumstances listed in current WD Circular(s) qualifying the recognition as previous recipients. I urge the Senate to honor such veterans by preventing such an Amendment to become law. At least prevent the expansion involving veterans of WWII. Please!

Robert

[Peter Ansoff]

Hello, Robert, welcome to the forum!

The tradition is being threatened by the recent passing of Amendment 200 (40) to HR 5136. “Would expand the eligibility for the Army Combat Action Badge to those soldiers that served during the dates ranging from December 7, 1941, to September 18, 2001.”

I'm not sure I understand your point here. The CAB was created to honor Army personnel who were not eligible for the Combat Infantryman Badge because they served in non-infantry arms (armor, engineers, etc.). Eligibility for the CIB dates back to 7 Dec 1941, while the current CAB eligibility goes back only to 18 Dec 2001. The intent of the amendment is to give non-infantry combat veterans who served prior to 2001 the same recognition as their infantry counterparts.

All recipients of the CIB during WWII are entitled to the Bronze Star Medal.

I don't think that this is technically the case. Eligibility for the Bronze Star is based on acts of heroism, while the CIB rules refer specificially to engagement in combat.

By the way, there appears to be a typo in the Army Regulation (AR 600-8-22) that defines the eligbility for these awards. Para 8-8 c(4) says that one of the criteria for the CAB is "Solider must be assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the Soldier for the CIB/CMB." The whole intent of the CAB was to recognize Soldiers who did *not* qualify for the CIB/CMB. Hopefully the Army will correct this in the next revision of the AR.

Peter Ansoff

[majorhitt]

Flying the flag upside down in this time of unrest, is not what the intent of doing so was for. I have a lot of respect for the flag, just like many if not all of you. As previously mentioned, the flag flown upside down for a sinking ship, is what it should be used for. I teach flag etiquette for several scout troops, Boy Scout and Girl Scouts. We had an event at our county prison. Someone in the morning doing their normal daily task of raising the flag never took notice how it went up the pole. A few hours later the SWAT team rushed in to find nothing wrong. It's a good thing someone knew what an upside down flag means. This could be like crying wolf. Let's use the flag for what it is meant for. I'm sure there's a better way to let others know that the country is under distress. What that may be, I don't know.