EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been edited from its original form. For more information on the correction, please see the note at the end of the story.
This year, flags across Oregon have flown at half-staff on four days – Jan. 27, Feb. 2, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 – following orders from Gov. Ted Kulongoski, in honor and remembrance of four Oregonian soldiers who lost their lives during the Iraq war.
“Flags are lowered to half-staff in honor and tribute of the memory of an individual and to express public sorrow,” the University’s Army ROTC Recruiting Operations Officer CPT Darren McMahon said. It is a way of “honoring those who have given their lives in the service of their nation.”
Army Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty, a 25-year-old from Portland, Ore., wrote on his MySpace page that he wanted to be a high school history teacher. He graduated from Jesuit High School and attended Oregon State University, where he became a member of Sigma Pi fraternity, graduating with a history degree in 2004.
Fennerty “loved to ski, fish and spend time with his friends,” an Oregon Military Department press release said.
Covering his MySpace page, messages from friends describe Fennerty as a loyal, selfless role model with a “contagious smile and laugh.”
“His awareness of duty to make our world a better place is what led him into the military service of our country,” a statement from Jesuit High School said, which described him as a “faith-filled person.”
“His classmates will miss his sense of humor and deep sense of loyalty to them,” it said.
Fennerty served in the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division . He died in the Al Anbar providence of Iraq on Jan. 20 when a roadside bomb hit the military vehicle he rode in, the OMD press release said.
“He was a leader and inspiration in his church, his community and to his friends, family and all who had the honor to know him,” Kulongoski said in a press release. “Above all, he will be remembered for his compassion toward people and his commitment to making the world a better place.”
On the list of heroes on 20-year-old Pfc. Ryan J. Hill’s MySpace page, the first name he wrote was his mom.
“Ryan and I were each others’ life,” his mother, Shawna Hill, said at a press conference. “He was my life.”
Messages from Hill’s friends now fill his MySpace page, describing him as inspiring, fun, caring and brave, and remembering his keen ability to make people laugh.
Shawna Hill said he told her, “If I come home then God has more for me to do, and if I don’t come home, I’ve finished my job.”
Shawna Hill was informed that on the night of Jan. 19, Hill “volunteered for the dangerous mission of driving the lead M1151 armored Humvee for the platoon’s combat patrol.”
Hill, of Keizer, Ore., died Jan. 20 in Baghdad from wounds when a roadside bomb detonated close to his Humvee, a U.S. Department of Defense press release said.
“Ryan faithfully served our nation with unsurpassed courage and honor,” Kulongoski said in a press release. “He was deeply committed to serving his country, his state and his community and we all are thankful to his family and friends who contributed to his love of country and passion for service.”
On 20-year-old Pfc. Brian A. Browning’s MySpace page, friends recall good times, send him their love and admire him as a great man. Browning, of Astoria, Ore., served in the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York. He died in Baghdad on Feb. 6th “of wounds suffered from enemy small-arms fire while conducting security operations,” a U.S. DoD press release said.
“Brian gave to his country, friends and family his very best throughout his short life,” Kulongoski said in a press release. “As we stand together during this difficult time to comfort and support the family and friends of Brian, we also honor and celebrate the legacy of a young man who represents the best of Oregon.”
Sgt. Long N. Nguyen , 27, was born in Vietnam, and at age 3 he moved to Portland with his parents, an OMD press release said. He graduated from Madison High School and was attending Portland State University before his deployment. Nguyen remained close to his parents, sister, and two brothers.
“Fellow soldiers in 141st BSB said Nguyen was outgoing, well-known and well-liked. He was known as a hard worker and good at his job,” the OMD press release said. “Prior to the deployment, the unit recognized him as the 2005 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.”
Nguyen was assigned to the 141st Brigade Support Battalion, Portland, Ore. He died Feb. 10 in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related wound, and the incident is under investigation, a DoD Press release said.
“Long was an outstanding Oregonian who was surrounded by loving parents, siblings and friends,” Kulongoski said in a press release. “Together we send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fellow Oregon National Guard soldiers in this time of loss.”
CORRECTION:
Last Tuesday the Emerald ran a photo of an improperly folded flag on the front page accompanying the article “Lowered flags honor state’s fallen soldiers.” Members of the Veterans and Family Student Association brought it to the attention of the Emerald that this display is offensive.
Federal law regarding the American flag is found under the Flag Code. First adopted in 1923 and last modified in 1999, this code outlines the Pledge of Allegiance, proper display and use, time and occasions for display, positions and manner for display, showing respect, and conduct while flying or passing the flag.
Although the regulations do not specifically state how the American flag may be folded, VFSA member Jeremy Colmbs explained, “The way I was always told, the stars are the most important part of the flag.”
Colmbs said the stars are always facing forward to symbolize that the flag never runs.
When folding, Colmbs said, “The stars go over the heart – the heart being the stripes.”
There are many ways to display a flag, but there are rules of etiquette associated with display. When hanging the flag, whether horizontally or vertically, the field of stars should always be on the upper left, and never touching the ground. When displaying the United States flag with other flags, including those of other countries, the United States flag should always be higher than any other.
If a flag becomes tattered, it is rendered “unserviceable” said Colmbs. To discard of the flag, he recommends giving it to the local ROTC or recruiting station for disposal. The Flag Code states a flag that can no longer be displayed “should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
Colmbs said the flag should also never be “impeded.” The Flag Code defines this as “always aloft and free” and never “festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.”
There are special flags for display during inclement weather, called storm flags, Colmbs said. Flags also should not stay out overnight and are traditionally flown from sunrise to sunset, although the Flag Code states it is permissible to fly a flag overnight if properly lit.
Flags should also not be defaced by writing of any kind. A flag should never be used in advertising, used as a blanket or covering for a ceiling, or used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except as a patch on the uniforms of military personnel, firefighters, police men and women, and patriotic organizations.
– Jill Aho