At any military funeral, there are some things that you always expect to see. One of them is the traditional flag folding, where each of the thirteen folds is done with a recited line. Now it has been banned at the Riverside Cemetary in California.
Not only is the ban ridiculous, what is the reason behind it? It was cited that becuase the eleventh fold has all Christian references in it. They also claimed that this would "streamline" the burial process. A burial "process", and "streamlining" makes it seem as if people are simply getting rid fo unwanted machiney, not human beings who fought and died for this country.
And the other thing is, the flag folding is not required or mandatory. It's a service that is requested by the families, so if you are "offended" by the flag folding ceremony (which I this is kind of stupid), then you don't need to get it.
The banning was not even based on complaints of any sort. It is just another example of people who believe in their "superiority" exacting their beliefs on others.
Many veterans groups are protesting this move, stating that it is "a slap in the face." Good for them. I hope that the cemetary lifts the pointless and ludicris ban.
This is really quite sad. I believe that if a family finds solace in their Christian beliefs or even are atheist, islam, etc, they should have the choice of honoring their beloved one with a flag folding. I've had family members who served in the armed forces and upon their death, not due to combat but old age, the flag folding is a wonderful act that signifies , at least in part, the life that the person gave up for their Country.
http://www.progressiveu.org/user/bamers
i am adding this ban to my stupidest bans in the world list. I mean flag folding. That really makes no sense.
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth!~JFK
That's in the same state where they have regular problems with people vandalizing military gravestones, specifically vandalizing the part of the tombstone that shows a cross or star of david.