Tuesday, February 21, 2012
On October 30, 2010 former Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson ordered that flags across the state of Kansas must be flown at half-staff in honor of Army Specialist Thomas Adam Moffitt of Wichita. He was 21.
On February 18, 2012 New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ordered that flags across the state of New Jersey must be lowered to half-staff in honor of singer Whitney Houston. She was 48.
The original, symbolic meaning of flying a flag at half-staff is a sign for grief and mourning from our nation. The problem with this important gesture is that if it is decreed for every small moment it loses its significance and importance as a high honor.
A Texas woman Phyllis McGeath’s son Phillip McGeath was killed in action while serving in the Marines a month ago, and his former state of Arizona ordered for flags to be lowered to half-staff. He was 25.
“That honor meant a lot to me,” Phyllis McGeath told CBS Dallas/Fort Worth news. McGeath says: “Houston is not deserving of that same honor.”
“Nothing against Ms. Houston because she was a beautiful singer and I was a fan for years,” McGeath said. “[But] It was like putting them on the same level.”
When I heard that the state of Kansas was honoring my brother’s willingness to serve his country and to pay the ultimate sacrifice it made me proud of my state and of my country. The fact that the entire state of Kansas was mourning with my family was a humbling feeling that meant a lot to me.
However, with Houston receiving that same honor demotes that significance and honor. She did not serve on the front lines. She did not experience what Phillip McGeath and my brother experienced. Houston was an incredible signer, but how can these two things even be close to comparison?
However, Houston did not give her life for this country, and she does not deserve to have the same recognition as those who did. We have to separate emotion from action. Houston emotionally touched the lives of many throughout her career, but she didn’t risk or sacrifice her life with action in a time of war. And, for that reason I don’t think she deserves the honor of having our American flag fly at half-staff.
To all of our troops who have served our country, who have fought in a time of war on the front lines, who have been wounded in combat, and those who have given their lives for our freedom you are my heroes. You were willing to put your country before your safety, and when you fall we as a nation are all your brothers and sisters. For that you deserve the highest honor.
You deserve to have the symbolic gesture of the American flag be flown at half-staff. This symbolic reference states that we as a nation mourn your loss – that we as a nation stand together and honor that you have unselfishly given your life to ensure our safety as a country. For that I thank you. For that you deserve an honor that the rest of us do not deserve.
— Moffitt is a senior in English and philosophy from Wichita.
Letter: Football chant is not tradition
State to honor Falkenstien
Onions: How You are Treated is in ...
When murder goes unnoticed because the killer is on our side. Everyone ...
Moffitt: Life lessons from Woody Allen
Woody Allen's classic films have a lot to tell us about love ...
Seniors look back at softball careers
Five players reflect on the highlights of their time at the University.
Greensburg natives cope with disaster
After news of the devastating tornado reached them, students from Greensburg made ...
Boldly bearded and shamelessly mustached
From Matthew McConaughey to Brad Pitt, the returning trend of facial hair ...
Letter: Encouraging gay pride
Despite ripped-down flags, campus still place of tolerance.
Campus groups to hold 9/11 memorial service
Six years later, and the University of Kansas will still recognize those ...
Press Row: Kansas vs. Oklahoma
Kansas plays Oklahoma tonight in Norman, Okla., and the team is one ...
Letter: As we mourn our basketball loss, ...
As fans, it is our own obligation to support the Jayhawks and ...
Jason Wren’s life commemorated
Students, friends, family gathered on the front lawn of Sigma Alpha Epsilon ...
Coach starts small to dream big
Coach Ritch Price reflects on his experiences throughout the years that led ...
Awards ceremony honors senior student athletes
Volleyball, football and other athletes receive special rings to signify their achievements ...
Pride Week increases awareness
KU’s Queers and Allies celebrates the gay community in a multitude of ...
Metaphor misconstrued, natural disasters natural
Bachmann and Robertson are out of line for suggesting God's responsibility for ...
Reichert: What your sex life and the ...
Goble: Every dog has its day, even ...
This particular story symbolized a defiant victory for the average American, a ...
Family remembers KU student killed in car ...
Neil Hockenbarger, 26, died early Thursday morning. His wife said he was ...
Leading the way to success
Lauren Bonds has set a good example for the cross country team.
Bigs and Littles
Sibling relationships are always tough, but some students volunteer to take on ...
Supporters cheer after Obama is named President
Students and Lawrence residents celebrate at watch party, relishing in the historic ...
Hometown country singer returns
Lawrence native Sarah Buxton will perform Thursday at a hospital benefit concert.
Fresno State coach joins Mangino’s staff
Kerry Locklin completes team’s staff and will be Kansas’ new defensive line ...
Holtz: Patriotism and soccer go hand in ...
How many U.S. victories will it take for Americans to catch on?
Chancellor examines University standards
University committee will work with Gray-Little to possibly change admissions and recruitment ...
Review: Music
Letter: Remember why we have the First ...
Budget cuts may keep planes grounded
Some departments may have to exclude the use of the University’s private ...
Talk back: The 2008 Olympic Games in ...
What students say vs. what we say.
Final farewell
Kansas lost to K-State 61-50 Wednesday night, but the disappointment didn’t stop ...
Soccer team adds a few well-traveled recruits
Hanna Kallmaier played on the German national team and Cassie Dickerson was ...
Morris breaks scoring slump against Pepperdine
Senior guard Sade Morris scores 22 points in victory.
12 KU students join Teach for America ...
The non-profit group aims to end educational inequality in the United States.
Moffitt: What is the value of your ...
It's easy for students to forget that we are supposed to be ...
Kansas teams place eighth at Big 12 ...
Lauren Bonds earns All-Big 12 honors, but both teams place in the ...
Displays of patriotism mark Osama bin Laden's ...
In Lawrence and around the country, citizens celebrate the death of Osama ...
Cohen: Sarah Palin who?
What was Sen. John McCain thinking when he chose the Alaskan governor?
Free For All: August 30, 2007
To the person who made the comment about the drumline: No sir, ...
Former students make history with designs
KU engineers’ designs won the top three spots in aviation competition.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Moffitt: Flying flags at half-staff should be for those who deserve the honor
While I also cringe at Houston receiving this tribute (will the inevitable conclusion of substance abuse causing her death give Christie any pause?), I think the real question here is whether the half-staff should be used at governors' discretion or strictly for military members or public servants. I could agree with the latter limitation, as I think those in the arts are remembered through their work and this sort of gesture doesn’t fit. However, I imagine that if the future NJ governor makes this order when Bruce Springsteen passes, you’ll be hard-pressed to find as much objection as in this case...
Jacob, I do salute your brother and his sacrifice.
Moffitt: Flying flags at half-staff should be for those who deserve the honor
I might as well make this official; I agree with fiddleback even though he is a heartless SOB not to mourn Whitney (sniff). He is right this time.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID