Should Green Bay Packers organization lowered US Flag at half mast for Reggie White

[Miss Jasmine]

Following WDSearcher's logic, did the league order the US Flags lowered to half staff in honor of Tillman? I mean, if anyone deserves the flag being flown at half staff, it's Tillman, not White.

I still stick by my statement that by comparison, the league did nothing. Hell, MLB retired the number 52 in honor of Jackie Robinson, and has that number displayed in all it's stadiums. Tillman get's one weekend for his sacrifice?

Sometimes you make no sense what so ever. 1) I was pointing out the fact that NFL did do many things to remember Pat Tillman. You said it had done nothing. I was not getting into the flag dispute. Personally, I don't agree, but hey not my decision. 2) How many years later was Jackie Robinson's number retired? So you don't know what may happen in the future.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I don't think the flag should have been lowered to half-staff for Reggie White. If we start lowering the flag for our favorite sports figure...where does it end? Do we lower the flag for Ray Charles because he was a great musician? Do we lower it for Rodney Dangerfield, comedian? Or Julia Child, chef? Tony Randall, actor? Estee Lauder, cosmetics queen? Jack Paar, talk show pioneer? Bob Keeshan, better known as Captain Kangaroo? Spc. Clarence Adams III? Lance Cpl. Timothy R. Creager? Pfc. Christopher D. Mabry? Just because we recognize a famous name does not make them deserving of a half-staff flag!

My guess is that in the hometowns of those famous people (well, probably not Julia Child) the flag was possibly lowered to half staff by someone upon the death of those people. If a person means enough to someone or some place, they should have the right to display their private flag at half mast to show their respect to that person and their families.

I don't take it as a personal affront to anyone else and I don't take offense to it.

 

[greenban]

My Father is an 80 year old Purple Heart WWII veteran, when he dies, I will lower my flag to half staff. This is America, I can do whatever (and so can you) I want to my flag. I can display it, I can respect it, I can burn it, and I can desicrate it. I choose the former options, but I support free-speech issues, and the rights of others as well.

And even if my Dad was a druken deadbeat, if I loved him, I would still lower *MY* flag to half mast.

Back to the OP. I don't believe Reggie White should have an official (Government) half-flag, but private citizens can do as they wish, and if the stadium is not publiclly owned property, the owners can do as they wish.

-Tony

 

[BabyTigger99]

Let it rest. Let the man have peace in his death. Aren't there bigger things to worry about in the grand scheme of things?

 

[Doctor P]

I strongly disagree, greenban. If you want to lower your flag to half mast inside your house where no one else can see it, great. Otherwise, you are publicly displaying the flag (if it is outside, it is being publicly displayed) and should respect the U.S. flag code as to its correct display.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The Cardinals did lower its flag to half-staff for Pat Tillman.

FORMER N.F.L. PLAYER KILLED IN ACTION
Apr 23, 2004




Pat Tillman made headlines when he left behind the celebrity and big paychecks of the NFL to enlist in the U.S. Army. Tillman refused to give interviews after he enlisted because he felt that he was no better than his fellow soldiers. Today, he is making headlines in a way his friends and family had hoped would never happen. The 27-year-old was killed during a firefight with anti-coalition forces in Afghanistan. Karen Brown has the story.

Pat Tillman, a patriotic former Arizona Cardinals football player who left the playing fields of the NFL to serve his country, has died on the battlefields of Afghanistan.

Dave McGinnis, Tillman's former coach:

"The words honor, integrity, dignity, commitment - they weren't just adjectives with Pat Tillman - they were realities in his life."

The flag is at half-staff at Sun Devil Stadium, where Tillman had been a stand-out player for both Arizona State University and the NFL Cardinals. After 9-11, Tillman gave up a multi-million dollar football contract to serve alongside his brother - a professional baseball player - in the Army's Special Forces.

Here is how he explained his decision.

Pat Tillman, September 12, 2001:

"My great-grandfather was at Pearl Harbor, and a lot of my family has... gone and fought in wars, and I really haven't done a damn thing as far as laying myself on the line like that, and so I have a great deal of respect for those that have."

It was a decision that took him on a journey from the valley of the sun to the mountains of Afghanistan. As an elite Army ranger, Tillman was taking part in the campaign against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces along the Afghan border with Pakistan when he was killed in an ambush.

Pete Kendall, Tillman's former teammate:

"A lot of times in football, analogies of war are thrown around, and today, we see how hollow those ring."

What does ring true from Tillman's sacrifice is that he will be remembered as a remarkable American who walked away from everything and gave his all to his country.

Tillman, who grew up in San Jose, California, had just recently been married.

http://www.kpvi.com/index.cfm?page=nbcheadlines.cfm&ID=18219

You really should do your research first.

 

[chadfromdallas]

I'm sorry he died, but he is only a football player for god sake's. Do not lower the American flag to half staff for him. Team flag, okay, American flag,no!

I agree....

 

[Anne34]

I think the Packers should be allowed to lower their flag. It is their way of showing respect for someone who has meant a lot to their organization. I think the problem is that some people did not like Reggie's politics and are now bashing him. Let the man rest in peace!!

 

[Elwood Blues]

Why have flag handling and display protocols if they aren't to be followed by everyone?

It's my understanding that they apply to everyone and should be followed as closely as possible.

 

[chadfromdallas]

~EOM~

 

[Doctor P]

This thread and discussion has nothing to do with Reggie White or his politics. It has to do with flag etiquette, period. JMHO.

 

[WDSearcher]

Bob Harlan didn't lower the flag for Reggie White as a slam to all other people who "deserve" it -- he lowered it as a gesture towards Reggie and his family. If you don't agree with it, then write Harlan a letter and tell him why. But, goodness, the moment has passed and no one seems to have been irreparably harmed by it.

To further clarify who is allowed to fly a flag at half-staff, this comes from the US Department of Protocol:

"Although it is generally believed that our national emblem should not be flown at half staff except as a sign of national tribute, neither Title 36 of the Code nor Presidential Proclamation 3044 prohibits local officials or private citizens from flying the flag at half staff on appropriate occasions at their own option. However, it is believed that the use of a state flag or community flag might be more appropriate. Extensive research has failed to disclose the existence of an Executive Order stating that only the President directs the flying of the flag at half staff. Title 36 of the Code prescribes the method to be followed for placing the flag at half staff, but it does not state by whom or on what occasions it should be done."

So ... Harlan should, perhaps, have chosen a Wisconsin flag, a Green Bay flag, or a team flag to fly at half staff, but he has done nothing wrong by flying the US flag at half staff. At least in the eyes of the US government.

As for dmadman's comment about wearing the flag as a robe, that IS covered in US Flag Protocol. Section 176 (i) of Title 36 of the US Code states that the flag should not be used as any portion of clothing, costume or athletic uniform, although "the wearing of a replica of the American flag to designate this country's representation in a worldwide program, such as the space program, is not considered to be in violation of this provision." So, while a robe would be frowned upon, if you chose to wear an American flag on your behind in order to represent our country at the International "Best Posterior" Competition, you could presumably do that.

 

[Disney Doll]

It amazes me the amount of time some people have on their hands, and how they choose to spend that time.

 

[CajunDixie]

It amazes me the amount of time some people have on their hands, and how they choose to spend that time.

This coming from a person with over 6,000 posts.

As for the flag debate...no one was hurt, no law broken but the flag was disrespected.

 

[Taylor]

Should Green Bay Packers organization lower the US Flag at half mast for Reggie White

No

 

[JimB.]

Should Green Bay Packers organization lower the US Flag at half mast for Reggie White

No.

Lower the Packer's organization flag if they desire.

 

[dmadman43]

It amazes me the amount of time some people have on their hands, and how they choose to spend that time.

Yeah! How DOES one manage to attain 6,189 posts?