Vet thrown out of retirement ceremony for reciting "banned" flag folding ceremony speech

[davsel]

What a crock - he was not even in uniform.
ETA: Here's a better version of what happened: http://www.jqpublicblog.com/unauthor...flag-ceremony/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ican-flag.html


For those who don't know, the Air Force had a flag folding speech that was recited at retirement and funeral ceremonies. The original speech contained many references to God. Long about 2005 or so, the Air Force got nervous about mentioning God at an official ceremony and published a totally new script. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/more/affold.htm

They always seemed to make CYA maneuvers to allow the old script to be recited, but apparently not this time.

Script #4 (link below) is the one I remember hearing most often, and was read at my retirement in 2008 - by a crusty old retired Chief who dared anyone to stop him.
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/more/folds.htm

The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.


(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and fold the flag into a quarter fold--resume reading when Honor Guard is standing ready.)


The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."


(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)


After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

The speech SMSgt Rodriguez was attempting to make:

[BushMasterBoy]

I saw that and thought it was pretty disturbing. The CO had his thug "NCO's" manhandle the USAF retiree out of the ceremony, even though he was a guest of the retiring honoree! He was invited! The ceremony was about the retiring enlisted man, not the Commanding Officers past beefs with the invited guest. Hard to tell what was really going on, the way the various media entities portray a story these days. Makes me think about Obama saluting Marines with a coffee cup in his hand, very disrespectful. Maybe that is the norm now.

[vossman]

I noticed that one video showed it was SMSgt's first Meritorious Service Medal and has only one medal lower than that. That is kind of odd. Maybe he was not very well liked. On another note, the world of PC wins again.
The FB post by Mr. Sila is EPIC!

[Bailey Guns]

So many things disgust me these days...

[Gman]

The FB post by Mr. Sila is EPIC!

Got a link?

[roberth]

https://www.facebook.com/topic/Travi...ion=8&trqid=-1

[Gman]

https://www.facebook.com/topic/Travi...ion=8&trqid=-1

"We couldn't find anything for Travis Air Force Base"

[roberth]

Put this in the search bar - travis airman retirement ceremony

that is what comes up when i click the link i provided

[BushMasterBoy]

Here is link to Silas statement.

http://www.jqpublicblog.com/wp-conte...16/04/Post.jpg

[Bailey Guns]

Yeah...that was a good read.