Who is Jim Broussard?
Well first off he is an American, and many could learn from his example. He’s also a veteran and not afraid to stand up for OUR country. Here is his story in full detail.
To sum it up: He heard over the radio that there was a local (Reno, NV) bar flying a Mexican flag over an American one; drove to the bar and cut the flags down. The mere fact that other Americans saw that blatant dishonor of OUR country and did nothing disgusts me.
There are a lot of directions I’d like to take this post: illegal immigration, courage, patriotism and others; but for now I want to focus on our culture’s lack of knowledge of proper flag conduct.
First off, the bar owner didn’t break any federal law that I’m aware of. However he did violate the Flag Code. There is a lot people could learn if they took time to read up on our nation’s history, customs, and symbols. Maybe if Barak did that he would choose to proudly display a flag lapel pin. (United States Code Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 176 Paragraph J- The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.)
Being a vet, proper flag etiquette is something that was drilled into me, and bothers me when I see others not giving that symbol the respect it deserves. Let me give you a few don’ts that are very common today. Don’t use a flag pattern napkin, don’t drape yourself with it, wear a shirt or other garment with the flag as its pattern, or let it touch the ground. Don’t write on it or display it upside down in protest. Displaying the flag upside down is actually a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
That flag represents so much more than most folks will ever realize. I will leave you with a poem I first read over eight years ago.
It Is The Soldier
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
who has given us freedom of press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
who gives us freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Father Dennis Edward O’Brien
In reference to the Broussard flag cutting incident, I have known Jim for over 30 years, I agree his actions of cutting the flags down was redneck style. But allow me to clear up this veteran part of his story. Jim didn’t serve out his hitch in the seventies, he was released early for reasons he knows. As a Vietnam veteran,I find it less than amusing for him to be referred to as an army vet. He is an Army vet only in the loosest sense of the phrase, he washed out of the service to his country in a year or less. The news services had a field day with this story, but as usual, some of the facts were muddled. I’ve seen some reports that call Jim a Viet Nam vet, why Jim hasn’t taken the time to correct this Veteran farce is what is pisssin’ me off.
Vince Bartholomay
Vietnam 1/69-8/70
Vince,
Thank you for your comments; sorry to be so long in approving them, I’ve been out of town for a while. I believe his actions were honorable, redneck or not. I personally won’t challenge another man’s service to our country. If he isn’t a Vet and is claiming to be one, that’s his personal dishonor and sooner or latter the truth will come out.
I really wanted the focus of the story to be on Patriotism and our flag. I thank Mr. Broussard for what he did and would like others to take a chance to learn from this. So many people have no clue what that flag stands for and how to treat it with the respect it deserves. As a former service member I’m sure you understand what I’m talking about. Thank you for your service and again thanks for dropping in.
-Matt
wash out or not, he has the balls to stand up for our flag, and its symbolism. I support jim. i am a desert storm vet(not as good to some as vietnam), but still was war.
hope he is doing ok and all has cooled down for him.
if you personally know him, do you speak to him on a regular basis? or did you know him 30 years ago?
anyway around it, he has a set of brass balls, and for his actions, I SALUTE HIM!
Please don’t apologize to anyone for your service in the gulf. Any American who has served this great country in time of conflict is a patriot and an example. As a veteran of the Viet nam war I would never disparage a fellow vet of service in any conflict for our country. If anyone of the Vietnamese era calls into doubt the honor or worth of your sacrifice I would have serious doubts as to the validity of theirs.
SEMPER FI !
Jim’s action wasn’t anything but taking a stand, when everyone else was to hesitant or flat out too afraid to act.
As a proud veteran of the US Marines in Desert Storm living in So California, I would have done the same thing- to me the sad part is nobody- police or local government didn’t do anything about it because in my opinion everyone today is so afraid of being PC or seeming “racist” to tell this shop owner he what he was doing is illegal whether advisory or enforceable , (not to mention completely tasteless and unpatriotic) and have him fix it to where he can still show his pride by displaying the flag below the US flag. The whole situation could have been addressed in a few moments.
Jim’s act was vigilante I agree, but wasn’t racist- I’m sure it didn’t matter what flag it was above the US flag he would have done the same damn thing.
To address his statement,”I feel there’s a lot of this turning-our-heads-on-things in concern with the Hispanic community and the things they do. They seem impervious to our laws in a lot of situations.” I agree he is correct as America offers so much to our Hispanic immigrants to succeed whether legal or not, and for some reason they feel America should conform to their culture- but you do not see the same resources for us poor Americans regardless of culture, not to mention immigrants from Pacific rim, Europe or the Middle east etc… its sad when I go into a large chain grocery store in America and have to speak whatever pidgin Spanish i know in order for people working there to understand me. This was not the case for all the immigrants of past coming through Ellis island- I remember asking my grandmother to teach me Italian as a teenager in the early 80′s- she said “No- ever since our family came to America we speak English.” It was that pride of being American and fusing your culture and hard work into America that made it a great melting pot, it is the fabric of America- what is going on now is a cultural takeover…
In closing; I give props to everyone working hard for the dream regardless of race sex or sexual choice, but for me the problem we are having now began a few years ago when race, sex, or sexual choice was allowed to give one person an advantage over another. I call shenanigans on it – get your brooms!
Thanks for your comments RC. What the owner was doing wasn’t Illegal per say, but it did vilote the Flag Code. There is a difference. Regardless I am proud of what was done to fix the situation.
Since when did the amount of time a person served our country matter? The point is he served and that should be enough. Period! I personally don’t care if he only served our country for a day. We need more “Vets” like him!
I don’t want to speculate on his service, but I will clarify the issue for you. It does matter b/c when a person signs up, or was drafted they are contracted for a certain amount of time. If they can’t hack it, are a srew up, or whatever and they are discharged prior to completing their orginal contract that is seen as very dishonorable in the military, even if the person was discharged with a ‘other than honorable’ discharge ie not a full dishonorable discharge. As I stated before I have no clue of his actual service, if he is claiming something that he isn’t that is his dishonor to bear, not mine to worry about. I wanted to focus on his actions concerning any flag being flown above our own.
I would be honored to know Mr. Broussard. If I ever do meet him all the drinks are on me.
I found that this guy had a page on facebook. Looks cool.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/#!/pages/Jim-Broussard-American-Hero/101124016605733
Peter