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karlene
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 Posted: 04/27/06 - 11:30 Post subject: This really bothers me...
http://www.cbc.ca/ottawa/story/ot-flag20060425.html
The federal government says from now on the flag atop the Peace Tower in Ottawa will not be lowered to half-mast in honour of fallen Canadian soldiers.
The Conservatives point to protocol that says only the deaths of former governors general, senators and prime ministers are marked by lowering the flag.
"Proper military protocol has been restored and that, for most of the military, that is something they support," said Peter Van Loan, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs.
The government was reacting to a seemingly ad hoc approach that has developed over the past few years and has led some people to question the policy. Some of the soldiers who have died recently in Afghanistan have been honoured in such a manner, but not all.
The deaths of the four soldiers in Afghanistan on the weekend brought the issue to the fore. Some MPs said it was a mistake not to lower the flag on the Peace Tower.
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.jrjo
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Posted: 04/27/06 - 11:47 Post subject:
I guess I'm all for uber proper flag protocol. What kind of bothers me is how flags aren't all flown half mast when their suppose to or how people even find out? I've surfed to try and find a site that lists that kind of thing. I know the governor here can declare flags go to half mast and of course nationally, but I wish everyone, especially businesses or government places, would keep it all in unison on which days are which. 
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karlene
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Posted: 04/27/06 - 12:11 Post subject:
What bothers me about this is the fact that these soldiers put their lives on the line for their country, the least the government can to is acknowledge it by lowering a flag in memory and thanks... Its more for the families and fellow soldiers i guess...
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robp
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Posted: 04/27/06 - 12:43 Post subject:
| karlene wrote: | | What bothers me about this is the fact that these soldiers put their lives on the line for their country, the least the government can to is acknowledge it by lowering a flag in memory and thanks... Its more for the families and fellow soldiers i guess... |
I agree, I believe it should be lowered. If the law doesn't say it should then the law could be changed.
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j1miller
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Posted: 04/27/06 - 13:28 Post subject:
| robp wrote: | | karlene wrote: | | What bothers me about this is the fact that these soldiers put their lives on the line for their country, the least the government can to is acknowledge it by lowering a flag in memory and thanks... Its more for the families and fellow soldiers i guess... |
I agree, I believe it should be lowered. If the law doesn't say it should then the law could be changed. |
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MechEngDropout
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Posted: 04/27/06 - 16:59 Post subject:
I don't really agree with the flying of flags at half mast. Certainly it's a good way of honoring someone who has died, but I believe if every deserving person was to be honored, the flag would never be flown at full height.
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copteacher
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Posted: 04/28/06 - 06:45 Post subject:
Places who fly flags at half staff against the wishes of the Govenor or President are actually violating flag law/protocol.
It is only to be flown at their order and in the morning of Memorial day until noon.
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copteacher
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Posted: 04/28/06 - 06:49 Post subject:
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karlene
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Posted: 04/28/06 - 07:47 Post subject:
| MechEngDropout wrote: | | I don't really agree with the flying of flags at half mast. Certainly it's a good way of honoring someone who has died, but I believe if every deserving person was to be honored, the flag would never be flown at full height. |
Understood. However, I really think that doing this for soldiers is a salute to what they have done for their country...Faught & Died...
I do think though, that if the law states that the flags be flown at half mast for soldiers only on memorial day, why did they start doing it the other way? They could have saved themselves a huge uproar and just stuck to the rules... IMO
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copteacher
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Posted: 04/28/06 - 08:16 Post subject:
| karlene wrote: |
Understood. However, I really think that doing this for soldiers is a salute to what they have done for their country...Faught & Died...
I do think though, that if the law states that the flags be flown at half mast for soldiers only on memorial day, why did they start doing it the other way? They could have saved themselves a huge uproar and just stuck to the rules... IMO |
just remember that is the only other day where it is supposed to be flown unless by special decree of the Govenor or President.
As far as honoring the soliders MED, I strongly disagree with you, it is a fitting tribute to their service and sacrifice, it does not take away from the death that all of us face every day, but it is different for those who died in service of this country.
All I know when I fly my flag at half staff on Memorial day, I know that for 12 generations in this country, an Oaster has served in the military, many giving their lives in war. On my mother's side we have back to 14 generations in this country all whom have served in the military, back to before and including the revolutionary war. I honor not only the hundreds in my family who served but those who served with them. I take this stuff very seriously.
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