Better this:
Than this
Posted on 09/09/2008 12:42:46 PM PDT by Abathar
From Cantigny, France, and the Argonne Forest to North Africa, Normandy, Vietnam’s Iron Triangle and Iraq —and now hauteconcept.com?
Foreign battles aren’t new for the 1st Infantry Division, but this firefight is from another world, a clash between the New Army and Old over plans to commercialize the 1st Division’s historic “Big Red One” insignia in a sportswear line at Sears.
After days of questioning, the Army confirmed Monday the arrangement was first reached in June 2007 on the advice of an outside licensing agency, The Beanstalk Group in New York, but the full scope of the royalties to be earned has yet to be disclosed.
“I’m astounded,” said Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), who chairs the House appropriations panel overseeing the Pentagon’s nearly half-trillion-dollar budget.
“There is a great deal of concern among the senior Army brass about this deal,” said a Defense official.
But Sears, Roebuck and Co. is already moving to market its 1st Division “collection” this fall, and All American Apparel Inc., a privately held New York manufacturer, told Politico on Saturday that it had license from the Pentagon to proceed.
Caught most by surprise are combat veterans of the 1st Infantry Division, who see their familiar red-and-green shoulder patch splashed across Internet websites celebrating soldier chic.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
My Grandfather was so proud of his, he would be rolling over in his grave if he knew they were doing this.
Better than Old Navy.
Note to wearers of the new, chic, line of Sears sportswear: For your personal safety, avoid all public places in Manhatan, Kansas, and by no means attempt to enter Fort Riley.
This is absolutely insane and wrong-headed. Will Congress decide later on to reduce the Army’s budget based upon the Army securing “other” revenue sources? Beyond dumb and a morale sapper for the men.
I respectfully disagree.
I think this shows respect to our soldiers, as long as it is tastefully done. As a lifelong resident of a military community(with many friends in uniform), I know how proud our soldiers are of their insignias. Heck, I am proud when I see a First Cav or 4th ID patch on TV, in the movies, in the papers, etc.
I don’t think anyone will think these clothes will make people think a person is in the military, and I doubt the wearers will be degrading our servicemen and women.
Good Lord! Nothing from the Military is sacred from commercialism anymore! I can understand someone wearing a patch on their jacket if it used to belong to a familymember who served and they wanted to commemorate their memory, but a retail chain trying to cash in on the “militarylook” is just wrong. I could never understand the reasons hippies of the 60’s wore Army fatigues while spouting their drivel about “Peace and Flower Power” (talk about hypocracy!) and now I can’t figure out the skateboarding teens wearing camo, when perfectly good painters pants will do them. IMHO, if you want to wear the Uniform, join up and earn the right to wear it, like Men and Women did before you.
Horrible last sentence!
It should read, “I don’t think anyone will mistake a person wearing these clothes for someone in the military...”
Better this:
Than this
You have me there, I will agree that it is better than the Che crap I see all over the place.
Still, it’s just like allowing the black beret to be worn by someone other than a Ranger. To me it seems to trivialize what someone else worked so hard to achieve.
Sure, for those of us that were in it's natural to feel that way. It's just something that isn't done or is done with a great unwillingness not to :)
I just see something positive with this if we can make it mainstream with Sears. The stuff can be bought and sold anyhow, let's make something postive happen from it.
Here is what we're up against. In case you missed this thread
It is my belief that if this was a Democrat administration, all hell would be breaking loose here on FR. This time, Blame Bush is right on the money.
I agree with you. Done respectfully, as a way of honoring these well-known emblems worn by legions of heroes over the years... I don’t see it as a negative thing at all.
It’d be especially positive for all the millions of vets, who would probably wear the stuff more than anybody else.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.