Packers president ignoring U.S. Flag Code
Obviously (Packers president] Bob Harlan was thinking that this is something he could use to pay tribute to White, but unfortunately he is not familiar with the etiquette. As much as I appreciated Reggie White, not only for his football playing but his character off the field, I don’t believe the U.S. flag should be flown at [half-staff] for anyone unless it is authorized by our government. It sort of denigrates the service of those in Iraq and Afghanistan who have lost their lives.
- Ron Sager, Fox Valley Vietnam Veterans Association
Yes, Reggie White was a great football player, perhaps the best defensive lineman the game has ever known. Still, he was after all a football player- not a soldier, or a statesman. His contributions, while not unimportant, did nothing to change our world or to make it a better place. Outside of making a few people a bit happier on autumn Sundays, Reggie White was no different than the rest of us.
While I would never stoop to minimizing the death of anyone at the young age of 43, there was nothing in Reggie White’s life or accomplishments that warrant flags being flown at half-staff. Yes, White’s accomplishments on the football field were impressive, and he will be remembered for them. He will also be remembered for the strength and depth of his religious convictions (as well as more than a few ill-timed statements condemning those who don’t believe and live as he did). Nonetheless, did his accomplishments rise to a level that would put him on a par with soldiers or statesmen? Not by a long shot.
Some war veterans in the Green Bay area were offended Sunday when the Packers flew the U.S. flag at half-staff at Lambeau Field in honor of the late Reggie White, the Green Bay Press Gazette reported Tuesday….
According to the U.S. Flag Code, which spells out the rules of flag etiquette, the American flag can be flown at half-staff only upon a directive of either the president or governor and on Memorial Day. The code also specifies who qualifies for the honor. Football players are not on the list.
Harlan told the paper he has ordered the flag lowered for others without anyone raising any objections.
“We have done this through the years and we are going to continue to do it,” Harlan said Monday. “I would hear from more fans who are upset with me if I didn’t do it than if I did. Is that what you are getting at, that we are not obeying the flag codes? Well, we are going to do it.”
However, Harlan said he has ordered the flag lowered for others associated with the Packers organization without objections. He did acknowledge, though, that the flags aren’t lowered when a local soldier is killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
So, let me see if I have this straight. If an current or former employee of the Packers dies, Harlan orders the flag at Lambeau Field to be lowered to half-staff. If a local soldiers dies in Iraq or Afghanistan dies in combat, Harlan ignores it. Is it just me, or should someone be reacquainting Bob Harlan with his grip on reality?
I am the last person to be lecturing anyone on flag etiquette, but in this case I think that veterans are within their rights to be offended. Bob Harlan has displayied an appalling lack of respect for those who died believing that they were protecting our flag and what it represents. He seems to have no problem, though, in affording the honor of lowering the flag in memory of someone whose main contribution was in knocking quarterbacks on their backsides.
Congratulations to Packers President Bob Harlan, who has truly displayed the qualities, cluelessness, and lack of judgement we expect from our DUMB@$$E$. Perhaps life on the frozen tundra has gone to his head.
