[jsalcedo]

I would just like to pass on to all concerned. Today, here at KIRKUK AB, Iraq, we were told that we were no longer allowed to fly the United States flag. The reason we were given is so we would not offend the Iraqi people. We were told that we are not occupying this country! And apparently we are not in charge. Well, my question is this. If we are not in charge, then who is? Obviously, the Iraqi people are not. The Iraqi people do not run any of these bases over here yet, and may not for quite some time. We at KIRKUK AB, Fire Dept have up to today, both Post and Retire the colors every day. Today in a show of respect and honor especially for those who have fallen, we disobeyed the order and raised our flag, but less than an h! our later we were Ordered to take our flag down. The moral here is low, but our mission remains in focus. It is a slap in the face of those families back home who have lost a loved ones. It is also a slap in the face for those who still remain here, not only protecting our people back home, but trying to make a difference here in the pursuit of freedom for the Iraqi people. I would appreciate the widest dissemination of this message. If we are to fly the Iraqi flag with our flag then so be it. But don't tell us that cant show the respect for our flag, when so many have died in the name of Freedom. The only people I think who would be offended, are the people who kill innocent women and children in the name of religion. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Samuel D. Arbuckle, TSgt, USAFR
506 ECES/CEF
FREEDOM AB
KIRKUK, IRAQ
DSN(318)460-0030

From: Talley Chuck CMSgt 506 AEG/CCC
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 5:11 PM
To: Roznovsky Franklin SMSgt 355 AMXS
Cc: 506 AEG FSGT's; 506 AEG CHIEFS
Subject: ! RE: Flying of US Flag

All outside US flags need to come down per CENTAF guidance. Col Gibson is taking this back to CENTAF. Inside flags are good, Chief T

We are allowed to put the flag up for special days or events, but we can't have it up all the time implying that we are occupying Iraq. Chief T



Sir, When we carry the bodies of our fallen men and women to the aircraft for their final flight home, can we still drape the coffins with our flag, or will that still offend the people that we are dying for so they can be liberated.

MSgt, W. Dalton



CHIEF
Harold S. Bromell, CMSgt, USAF
1 OG/CEM
Langley AFB, VA 23665-2789
(DSN 574-1927/2912
(Comm (757) 764-1927/2912
FAX 574-7459
+harold.bromell@langley.af.mil

[Lone_Gunman]

I thought this was the case from Day 1 of the war.

[TBeck]

How about the UN flag? The Iraqis might as well get used to it. They'll probably be seeing an awful lot of it in the next few years.

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

:barf: :barf: :barf:

[Missouri Mule]

I agree, Disgusting!
But, then again it could have been in honor of Hiterly being over there.

Just as disgusting as Kalifonia schools flying the mexican flag with the U.S. flag. I don't remember where I saw those pics, but I certainly remember seeing them.

[artherd]

Wasn't this policy during wartime as well?

It makes sense to me. Iraq is NOT a subject of the United States.

Sorry if it hurts your feelings.

[Double Naught Spy]

While we may not be able to fly our flag in Iraq, this particular Arbuckle message has all the makings of folklore. It shows up in a variety of places on the internet, but never with a date stamp and return email address on the information as would be typical of passed on emails. The writing of the letter is just a little to overly patriotic and refined as is common in some of the circulated fictional writings. And yet, Arbuckle apparently does not know the difference in moral and morale spellings.

You can do a google search and this message comes up in many places, all exactly the same, all missing the same date stamp return email address. The message shows up on a variety of forums and even on a senator's web page. Nobody seems to actually know Arbuckle.

[RealGun]

Your view plays well into the hand of the Iraqi anarchists. I suggest you obey orders and figure it out later.

[PATH]

It sounds like a rumor being made into an urban legend. Maybe it is being sown by those trying to undermine morale!

[CannibalCrowley]

The Washington Times (http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20040326-124131-3121r) had a short blurb on this a couple weeks ago. Of course this still doesn't mean it's true because major news networks have fallen for these things in the past.

Why don't they just fly both flags beside each other? We've been doing this in other foreign countries for a long time and they haven't complained about it recently.

[Sam Adams]

If true, I'd replace the Stars & Stripes with the Jolly Roger. Let's see how the PC blissninnies and the scum-sucking terrorists like that!

[mrapathy2000]

If true, I'd replace the Stars & Stripes with the Jolly Roger. Let's see how the PC blissninnies and the scum-sucking terrorists like that!
:rolleyes:

oh their is a great idea.

yeah lets liberate people and say were here to liberate no we are not going to rule over you or steal your money or naturual resources and while at it have a big ???? eating grin :D and the good ole jolly roger flag in background the flag of choice for Pirates. I am sure that would win them over big.

I can just see the terrorist and militia coming out of the woodwork shouting down with US,down with jolly roger pirates,infidels and thieves firing off ak's at are troops as if they are not having that happen enough over there.

if not allowed to use the US flag I would be pissed and disregard any such order. in addition I would probably mount an iraqi flag and maybe flags of the coalition as well.

[Sam Adams]

Please buy a sense of humor or irony!

[w4rma]

Alternate Source:
Inside the Ring
By Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Flag dispute

U.S. Air Force members in Iraq are furious over a recent order to take down all American flags at Kirkuk air base to avoid offending Iraqis.

"The reason we were given is so we would not offend the Iraqi people," said Air Force Technical Sgt. Samuel D. Arbuckle. "We were told that we are not occupying this country. And apparently we are not in charge. Well, my question is this: If we are not in charge, then who is? Obviously the Iraqi people are not. The Iraqi people do not run any of these bases over here yet, and may not for quite some time."

To protest the order, members of the Kirkuk air base fire department continued to fly the Stars and Stripes every day.

"Today in a show of respect and honor especially for those who have fallen, we disobeyed the order and raised our flag, but less than an hour later we were ordered to take our flag down," Sgt. Arbuckle said Tuesday.
…
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040326-124131-3121r.htm

[The_Antibubba]

You could just run up the Israeli Flag-the Arab world thinks this is a Zionist conspiracy anyway :evil:

[mrapathy2000]

Please buy a sense of humor or irony!

I have a sense of humor. I dont want to buy a crystal ball. learn to use emoticons aka smilies or give some other hint at form of humor.

:D