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The Walsh Family:
As a fellow Navy vet. this sure does not set well with me. Are you familiar with United States Code Title 4 § 1 and Army Regulation 840-10? These regs would also have to be amended.
Looking forward to seeing you next week.
Glenn Hautly
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 5:59 AM
Subject: US Navy
Chinese and Vietnamese flags to fly above US flag on US ships
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2000 09:59:51 -0700
President Clinton reportedly plans to visit China and Vietnam
before the end of his term, and, according to high-ranking Navy
officers, the commander in chief will alter long-standing naval
regulations to allow the American flag to fly below that of Vietnam
when he sails into the communist nation's territorial waters on a
US Navy ship. Highly placed Navy sources who spoke on condition
of anonymity believe this action on the president's part would further
devastate already tenuous Navy morale. As part of his swan song,
Clinton reportedly intends to visit two ports aboard Naval vessels.
Trip one takes him to the People's Republic of China, which has a
regulation that no war ship of any country may enter its territorial
waters flying a flag higher than that of the People's Republic of China.
According to one Navy source, China and the US have effected a
compromise whereby both flags-the US and the PRC-will be flown
from US naval vessels at the same height. But visceral outrage is
resulting from a proposed change to Navy regulations that would
result in the American flag being displayed subordinate to the flag
of Vietnam. Navy regulations and tradition prescribe that no country's
flag will be displayed in a superior position to the US flag. However,
Vietnam's rules reportedly demand that the Vietnamese flag
shall always fly in a superior position to any other country's flag.
High-ranking naval officers, speaking on condition that their names not
be published, say the reason for all the alarm, anger and
career-threatening
rhetoric is that Clinton allegedly has either ordered, or is about to
order, the secretary of the Navy to amend regulations to permit the
Vietnamese
flag to be displayed over the US flag. "I'd like to blow the @#&*% thing
up!"
said one frustrated officer.
The United States Navy Regulations began with the enactment by the
Continental Congress of the "Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the
United Colonies" on Nov. 28, 1775. Just 18 days after they founded the
United States Marine Corps. So a long and proud history bolsters the
ong-held Navy tradition that no country's flag will fly higher than that
of the United States. Commenting on the report, Col. David Hackworth,
America's most decorated living war veteran, said, "What's new?
Clinton has done everything else to dishonor the flag, why not make
it number two?" He added, "Congress ought to pull this traitor's travel
plug ... now." Calls to the Navy Staff Operations and Special Events
office were referred to the Public Affairs Office, which then referred
WND to the news desk. When WND outlined the scenario, the
spokesman-whose first comment was, "Wow" -- later called back to
say, "We haven't been able to find anything on it yet, but we're trying
to run the story to ground."
Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, commander in chief of the US Pacific Fleet,
reportedly has visited the People's Republic of China recently also,
although the reason for the trip is not known.
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NOTE: Some of you may wonder what the fuss is about, but please
remember that the Navy prides itself on honor and tradition. The Naval
Officers are not being "childish and petty" when they speak out against
this. Morale is at an all-time low, and military commands do not need to
once again be berated for their job.
How does this "slap in the face" decision fall under the power(s) of the
Commander in Chief?
It reminds me of when Hillary ordered that uniforms not be worn by the
White House in-house Marines. This order still stands, if you visit the White
House today, 8 yrs. later. What used to be a sought-after, privileged
job, is now seen as a tour of punishment by these young Marines who stand
around in civilian clothes. They not only lost their uniform but their
self-esteem to be seen in the uniform they are asked to defend.
How much more can the people that are asked to defend our freedom take?
The crews on the Navy ships leave their families and loved ones behind
more than 6 months at a time. Everything possible should be done to praise
and encourage them for their dedication!
Clinton will enjoy his boat ride for a few hours and never look back to
see the eyes of the men and women who serve our country. Just as the
Clinton Administration will never look back at the damage that has been
done to our Military and to this Nation.
Please forward this information to your E-mail list. It is reportedly
being blocked by all major news media.