 |
DC Vets Will Lobby Senators for District Flag Proposal
Norton provision would have military display DC flag at all military ceremonies
For more information contact: James Jones, Communications Director
202.462.6000 x12 office / 202.557.4864 mobile / jjones@dcvote.org
December 12, 2012
WHEN: 4:00 pm, Wednesday, December 12, 2012
WHAT: DC Veterans speak to press after lobbying Senators on provision to Raise the DC Flag
WHERE: Upper Senate Park. Corner of Constitution and Delaware Avenue, SE. Across from the Russell Senate Office Building
DETAILS:
DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is working to have a provision included in the Defense Authorization bill that would require the armed services to display the DC flag and the flags of the territories whenever the flags of the 50 states are displayed. A number of DC veterans will urge Senator's to support Norton's provisions.
Among those lobbying Senators will be U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Herb Tillery, who grew up in DC and served in the first Gulf War. He recalls that DC’s flag was not raised during his welcome home ceremony, nor was it presented during his son’s welcome home ceremonies after each of his three tours in Iraq.
DC Vote believes that Norton's provision appropriately acknowledges DC service members who fight and die in wars while defending American democracy. She began her push to raise the DC flag after hearing from Tomi Rucker, the parent of a recent graduate of naval basic training. At their son's graduation ceremony, every Seaman was honored by the dipping of their state flag, with the exception of the service members from the District.
The flag provision is included in the House Defense Authorization bill, but the Senate has yet to accept it.
In a Dec. 7, 2012 letter to the Armed Services Committee leadership, Norton and her colleagues from the territories explained why the legislation is required.
"Collectively, our constituents have served in every war this country has fought, beginning with the Revolutionary War, and our residents have suffered thousands of casualties on the battlefield while defending this country. We have all individually heard stories directly from our constituents about the deep disappointment they have felt when their home flags were excluded while others were being recognized in military ceremonies."
DC veterans will be available for comment after the meetings.
Print Friendly 
|
|
