Posted on 09/09/2008 4:50:42 PM PDT by CapnJack
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Will we soon see 101st Airborne patches, and 1st Marine Div. insignias hanging on the cloths racks at JC Penny and Target?
I'm amazed the Army licensed this to retailers.
And Murtha of all people is asked for his opinion in this story.
Heads should roll!
One earns that mark, one doesn’t buy it at Sears.
I felt the same way after 9-11, when everyone was wearing the FDNY hats. I hope the military symbols don’t become the next Che Guevara logo...
“I’m astounded,” said Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.),
No, Murtha. You are an asshole.
In my opinion, if it puts the symbols of our brave men and women out there for a younger generation to look on as something desirable and wanted, I am ALL for it!
I wish ALL the kids out there would wear clothing that reminded them and those around them, that there is a price for freedom and Americans are proud to pay that price.
In defense of Sears, they are or were military friendly.
I agree with that. This promotes the Military.
As long as the Army has some input in how it is used, I do not have a problem. You can buy real military patches and uniforms at any surplus store.
Imagine the amount of pride that a youngster would have wearing the EGA (Eagle Globe & Anchor) and learning about Belleau Wood ON THERE OWN!!! Clothes with the blue and white diagonals of the 3d Infantry and the meaning of “Rock of the Marne”!
Think about it! It just gives me hope to think that kids would be wearing those things instead of all that “gangsta thug” Yankees ball caps and crap.
Agreed. This is much to do about nothing.
If you want one, buy it from The Society of the First Infantry Division here for for $3.
Geez folk, everyone get a grip.
Agreed. If Murtha is against it, that should be your first clue it's probably okay.
Agreed. If Murtha is against it, that should be your first clue it's probably okay.
I’m retired Army. I’ll reserve judgment until I see the actual clothing line, so Ping me when that happens.
Usually, when Murtha is AGAINST something I know immediately that I should be FOR it; it’s pretty much a standard reaction for me. ;)
If this is true...Sears can go take a flying you know what. We have been customers of theirs for 50 years but that will come to an abrupt halt. NO ONE ... absolutely NO ONE should wear ANY military insignia unless they’ve EARNED it.
How about if we all wear police badges and fire badges and other things that belong to clubs and organizations etc. How would they like it? This is wrong and I think it will be stopped soon. It’s ludicrous and frankly almost sacriligeous! Men have died for this...no one else should EVER be able to even THINK about wearing it on fashing clothing...(and I u se that term lightly)
If this is true...Sears can go take a flying you know what. We have been customers of theirs for 50 years but that will come to an abrupt halt. NO ONE ... absolutely NO ONE should wear ANY military insignia unless they’ve EARNED it.
How about if we all wear police badges and fire badges and other things that belong to clubs and organizations etc. How would they like it? This is wrong and I think it will be stopped soon. It’s ludicrous and frankly almost sacriligeous! Men have died for this...no one else should EVER be able to even THINK about wearing it on fashing clothing...(and I u se that term lightly)
It's different in Britain, where you have Crown Copyright. But in the U.S. any logo or insignia associated with the U.S. government, including the military, can be picked up by anyone and marketed scot-free, as long as it is not for fraudulent purposes.
As long as one doesn’t represent ones self as a military member I think it’s pretty much fair game considering that stuff is all taxpayer funded and thus public property.
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