Posted on 04/27/2007 2:07:44 PM PDT by NotchJohnson
We Mourn Students, But Not Soldiers April 26, 2007
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It never occurred to me there was any disconnect in President Bush's order that flags be flown at half-staff to honor the memory of 32 students and faculty gunned down at Virginia Tech. It was, I believed at the time, the fitting tribute of a nation, united in grief, over the slaughter of so many young and talented people.
I still believe President Bush did the right thing. But now I'm also troubled by the disconnect: Why are flags flown half-staff to mourn slain students, yet never flown half-staff to mourn slain soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan?
That burning question was first raised, not by me, but by Army Sgt. Jim Wilt of Combined Joint Task Force-82, stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Writing online, Wilt noted that, as at other military bases around the world, flags had been lowered at Bagram to commemorate the tragic deaths at Virginia Tech. Nonetheless, he added: “I find it ironic that the flags were flown at half-staff for the young men and women who were killed at VT, yet it is never lowered for the death of a U.S. servicemember.”
Recently, in fact, a fellow soldier stationed at Bagram had been killed by enemy forces, leaving Wilt to ponder: “Is the life of Sgt. Alexander Van Aalten, a member of our very own task force, killed April 20 in Helmand province, not valued the same as these 32 students?” Good question!
Or how about the nine young Americans killed by one suicide bomber just outside Baghdad, one week to the day after the Virginia Tech shootings? They also died violent and senseless deaths. Don't they deserve the same recognition? Shouldn't their photos and life stories also be told? And why aren't the flags lowered for them?
For one simple reason, some might say: We expect soldiers to be killed, but not students. Which begs the question: Did we really expect over 3,200 troops — and counting — to be killed in Iraq after President Bush announced “Mission Accomplished”?
The truth is, a Virginia Tech-like slaughter happens in Iraq almost every day. Yet there's one very practical reason why Wilt's suggestion that slain soldiers receive the same flag honors as slain students will probably never happen: Given the way things are going in Iraq and Afghanistan, flags would be flying at half-staff every day.
Of course! That's the point! What better reminder that we are bogged down in a bloody, seemingly endless war than to see the Stars and Stripes only halfway up the flagpole — day after day after day? Otherwise, for most Americans, the war remains a distant operation, for which only our brave soldiers and their loved ones pay the price.
But drawing attention to the human cost of the war is the last thing President Bush wants. For the last four years, in fact, he and his cronies have done everything possible to conceal the number of war casualties. Until he got caught, Donald Rumsfeld used an autopen to sign condolence letters to the families of soldiers killed in action. Photographers are prohibited from shooting or publishing photos of flag-draped coffins returning to the States. And, to this date, Bush has not attended the funeral of even one soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
By law, only the president can order flags to be flown half-mast at federal buildings nationwide. Within each state, however, governors have the same authority. And several governors — including Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and John Baldacci of Maine — have already acted, issuing a decree that all flags be flown half-staff the day a soldier from their state is buried.
Deciding to lower the flag state-by-state is not as meaningful as a national tribute, but, for now, it's the least we can do show our soldiers and their families that the American people really do care.
And why not? In the words of Army Sgt. Jim Wilt: “Isn't it time our flag saluted back when a person makes the ultimate sacrifice? Shouldn't the flag, which represents our society, tip its hat when someone dies to ensure it will fly another day?”
Yep. That’s it. You got it.
I know what you’re saying but my wife and I can (remember names). Some are on “the Wall” and others served in Iraq with our son on his first deployment, we remember them well. We love ‘em and will never forget them. We have been honoring Memorial Day in our family since I can remember and that tradition has carried on and our kids damned well continue it as well (of course, our soldier does, goes without saying).
This Memorial Day, I’ll play the pipes for CPL Billy Long at Arlington, we’ll be there with his step-Dad and mother. No, not as an official thing but to honor him and for love and friendship for those left behind.
CPL Billy Long was with the “Old Guard” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier until he reenlisted because he said that he had to “do his part too”. He did, he was killed trying to help total strangers rebuild their government. We remember, we will always remember and I know you will too.
These are truly ignorant people. The flag is the PALL OVER THE COFFINS of those who make the ultimate sacrifice for this great country of ours.
Mr Press, you, your party and the dying main stream media are all communists, so you could never mourn someone defending American Ideals. I despise you sir, and all like you.
It is the Soldier, not the minister Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Flying the flag at half-staff for the VT massacre was a big mistake. Look for the idiots to capitalize on this mistake whenever possible.
Dumb move, Mr. President.
I wouldn’t go that far. Flying the flag at half-mast symbolizes national mourning, or mourning for some national tragedy. It’s not restricted to soldiers who die in the line of duty. Weren’t the flags supposed to fly at half-mast for forty days after President Reagan died? I think President Bush actually issued an executive order to have them flown full-mast at Independence Day, though the forty days were not up.
Hi Irish Rose:
Yes, it’s does lower for presidents. But, on the other thread I mentioned, someone said he wasn’t so sure about presidents, either. That they were not the same kind of patriot that a soldier is.
It got me thinking....
40 days for Clinton....
The Democratic Governor of Michigan orders flags at half-staff for every Michigan soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. I guess as usual with the MSM, Bill Press is misinformed and too lazy or malicious to find out the facts. He hates Bush and America so much, he'll stoop to anything to attack both.
I am not impressed by Bill Press and his crocodile tears for our brave soldiers. Inside, he regards them as babykillers and war criminals (he HAS too, they’re all volunteers).
Like the crocodile tears of Charles Gibson, who feels that the arrival of multiple flag-draped caskets should be constantly televised (”So that I, too, can mourn!”).
Media people are morally worthless TRASH!
NEVER?
I was at Keeneland Racetrack the weekend of April 14, and the flags there were flown at half staff, at the request of the Governor, to honor two(?) Kentucky soldiers who fell that week.
ML/NJ
I’m also a Kentuckian who spent twelve years on active duty, and I am proud of it. We knew when we took the oath that we may have to fight and die for our country. My oath was just a few years after the end of WWII, and thanks to a real leader, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who a grateful nation chose to make their, and my, commander in chief, we had a peaceful, and productive period of time to build, house and educate a country.
As it turns out, a very large number of those who benefited from the sacrifices of men and women who were clearly their betters have been ingrates. We know who they are, don’t we?
Just to be clear, I'm not a Kentuckian. I've lived in NJ for the past 35 years.
I do love Keeneland though! I hope to be back in the fall. (And your bourbon isn't bad either!)
ML/NJ
I’ve been a Virginian for 49 years, but began my life in Kentucky. The horses can be an obsession, I’m told.
The vote on this bill, a bill to cut off the funds to brave men and women defending our country and the country of Iraq is a despicable and cowardly political move. It has all the elements of Congressional TREASON. It should be struck down on a floor vote. If, any member of this house can't stand behind these brave troops, perhaps they should stand in front of them. But, there are no members of chamber that have the GUTS to do that, nor do they have the GUTS to admit that our troops protect our freedom. I yield the balance of my time, MADAM......speaker"! Then I would throw my notes to the ground and storm out.
Obsession? What are you talking about?
This year I hope to attend my 42nd consecutive Belmont Stakes, and my 41st consecutive Travers Stakes.
ML/NJ
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
” Obsession? What are you talking about?
This year I hope to attend my 42nd consecutive Belmont Stakes, and my 41st consecutive Travers Stakes.
LOL. Looks like I hit the old horseshoe nail squarely on the head.
I hope you have many more.
Our flags should not be lowered except for the death of a president of the United States.
End of story.
I would not go that far. it takes someone special like Bill Press to find an angle like this. VT had nothing to do with the war but he found a way.
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