Proud of my daughter!!!!!

[Biggin]

My daughter is a senior in high school and the battalion commander of the JROTC at her high school . Today one of the cheerleaders showed up at school wearing a U.S. flag around her cheerleading skirt. My daughter asked the girl to remove it and explained why. To make long story short she was met with resistance. So she went to the office and explained the situation. To the schools credit, an announcement was made that this was not appropriate and would not be tolerated. The girl in question was made to remove the flag from around her waist.

[dbarry1]

Way to go. You brought her up right. You should be proud. :O)

[Iron Whittler]

You did a good job of instilling the values in Her. Congrats to you and her mother. If more parents took the time to teach their children right and wrong, this country wouldn't have near the problems.

[Finster101]

Sadly the cheerleader may have thought she was honoring the flag. Uneducated and stupid will not get you through life too well, sometimes pretty will.

[Bzcraig]

Good on you and Good for her!

[Biggin]

Thank you all very much.

[skeettx]

Thank you!!!!
Mike

[Col4570]

With no intention of offending anyone please explain to a non USA resident why it was regarded as unacceptable.Genuine question with no malice.

[Smoke4320]

A National flag is to be respected .. worn partially obscured is a No No .. I have no issue personally if its a full flag representation on say the back or front of a T-shirt or jacket

The US Flag Code says, “The Flag Code addresses the impropriety of using the flag as an article of personal adornment, a design of items of temporary use, and item of clothing. The evident purpose of these suggested restraints is to limit the commercial or common usage of the flag, and, thus, maintain its dignity.”

So what does that mean? You should not use the American flag as an article of clothing. However, in 1976 an amendment was made that allowed uniforms for military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic groups to use a flag patch or pin near the left side, closer the heart.
But it is important to remember that the Flag Code is only intended as a guideline to be followed on a voluntary basis. The Code was originally created to ensure proper respect of our flag.

[MUSTANG]

The use of bunting (Red, White , and Blue stripes and stars) as patriotic decoration goes back many years. It was a means of highlighting patriotic events without using the flag as a decorative item. Use of these elements for clothing or decor is acceptable, the cutting up/refabrication of the flag to accomplish a clothing, decorative item is not acceptable.

Some history on Flag desecration/display:

1897 – Illinois, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota adopt flag desecration laws. By 1932, all states would have them. In general, these laws ban placing any kind of marking on the flag, using it in any form of advertising, and defacing or mutilating it in any way.
1907 – The Supreme Court upholds state flag desecration laws against legal challenges.
1942 – President Roosevelt approves a federal code that outlines how the flag should be properly treated.

Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989), was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag enforced in 48 of the 50 states. Justice William Brennan wrote for a five-justice majority in holding that the defendant Gregory Lee Johnson's act of flag burning was protected speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Johnson was represented by attorneys David D. Cole and William Kunstler.

Interesting how it took the Supreme Court over 200 years to decide that desecrating a US Flag was an acceptable action.

[fatelk]

I've heard people over the years say that the hippie movement was actually patriotic; they must have been because you always see photos with flag patches in their jeans and such. It's surprising that so many people don't realize that that is actually a huge insult, intended to show their disrespect and hatred of the flag and all it represents.

[Hamish]

Biggin,

Double kudos, how good it is to hear the HS JROTC is not extinct yet!

[jonp]

Good for you. You raised her right. The flag is not just a representation of our country. It signifies all who have fought and died for our freedoms and stands as a beacon for Freedom the world over.

[richhodg66]

I teach JROTC for a living so it's nice to see others recognize some of the good it does. In fact, I spent all day today with a big group doing some community service today. Good for your daughter.

[bedbugbilly]

Don't know your daughter but I can tell you that "Dad" is not the only one proud of her!

The question form the member from England is a legitimate one and it was answered well.

You know, as a member of the Viet Nam generation - I well remember those who sewed the flag to their pants - usually on the back side - and I can remember a few of them getting their back side"whooped" because of it. Respect for our flag used to be a part of our education - but then so was the Pledge of Allegiance being said the first thing every morning, a flag in every classroom (usually furnished by the local American Legion or VFW) and a prayer. All things "removed" by the Left over the years. It's kind of odd though - I don't ever remember anybody being "offended" by those things in those days. Sure, we had one or two whose religion didn't allow them to do such things but they were respected for their beliefs and nothing was said - that's how it was in those days - you had "RESPECT" for others. And those kids who stood up every morning and put their hands over their hearts and said the Pledge? The same ones who bowed their heads in respect as the morning prayer was said before the beginning of the day? (In a PUBLIC school no less). Well, ovey time I put my hand over my heart and pay respect to the National Colors when I say the Pledge, or it goes by me in a parade, or when I hear the National Anthem and sing along with it? I get a tear in my eye and an ache in my heart for those early childhood friends of mine who gave their lives for our flag or who came hoe disabled because of their service - to me, that is what the red stripes in our flag represent.

So Kudos to you daughter sir - you brought her up right!

[richhodg66]

In the public high school I teach at, the pledge is said every morning and kids take it seriously, not just the JROTC cadets. I've been out in the hall while it was being recited on the intercom and kids in the hall stop what they're doing, face the nearest flag and recite it.

In my class, we say it every class period followed by the cadet creed. I understand we are in a small GI town in a patriotic part of the world, but the point is not all public schools are the dens of leftists some seem to think they are, even today.

[Biggin]

I want thanks everyone again for the replies. I also thank the members who explained it to the member from England. I actually have 2 daughters on JROTC now and couldn't be prouder. As my daughter likes to say"Those who disrespect our flag have probably have never had a relative come home under one."

[buckwheatpaul]

I know you are as proud of your daughter as we are for dealing with an inappropriate display of Old Glory! Thank her and give her a hug for me/us!

[KenH]

I'm so glad to hear all these good responses - it's aways sorta irked me a tad to see the flag used as clothing...... even thought so many folks these days think they're being patriotic. Dad, you did a good job.

[texasnative46]

Biggin,

CONGRADS to your daughter & to you & your wife for raising her RIGHT.

yours, tex