Interesting that it is burnt. I wonder if that is why protestors burn your flag in what is clearly intended as undignified?

In UK we lay our flags up. Sqn, Regimental, Service and other flags are placed usually in a church and many are very worn. They are usually where a unit was last in action or based and serve as a focal point for reunions or even solitary remembrance. There are of course many other places such as St Clement's Danes for the RAF, in museuma or in Catherderals. Threadbare where they have been in contact with the ground over many years, shot and holed where they have been in action.

One White Ensign was used by the German forces to honour dead sailors in Guernsey. It was then 'stolen' and hidden until after the war and finally laid to rest in St John's Church.

Easiest flag in the world to make is that of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiryea or just plain Libya to the rest of the world. It's a simple green sheet, nice and cheap to bedeck the streets with when Mohammed Quadafi takes a stroll.

There are Italian troops in Iraq ??

Remember this BBC headline from August 24, 2004?
"Italy says it has no intention of withdrawing its 3,000 troops from Iraq in the face of demands from kidnappers who have seized an Italian journalist."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3595618.stm


As of Sep. 21, 2006, Italy has about 1,600 troops in the country, mostly in Nasiriyah, and that force is expected to be withdrawn by year’s end.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14935006/


While they are withdrawing now, at least they have been there since near the beginning!

Melchett01

I am sure that they were no white flags at Verdun in 1916 where the French Army fought the German invader whose avowed aim was the "Bleed the French white". Millions of Frenchmen died in defending La France. I think that your comment was a cheap shot, even if it was meant as a joke.

Hmm
 

What do you mean by at least?
By this logic one can say the Italians are quick to reverse themselves when the error of their ways becomes apparent, and the French are worse than the Italians for not getting involved in the Iraqi quagmire from the get-go??
Given the historical perspective of Indo-China, I would say there's more than a few similarities between the French and Yanks anyway. Both got chucked outta Vietnam. Oops, don't mention that one. :E

Oh no, by all means keep it in our memories, lest we forget what doesn't work.
So far, we're roughly 10-1 (depending on what we decide counts as a conflict), with one current one undecided. And your side's stats?

Do I see some cracks appearing in the Coalition of the Willing?
Well that depends on what we decide counts as a Mission Accomplished, doesn't it. Which side of the ledger did you put Somalia on?

Well, isn't that what any nation should do? In any case it appears very similar mistakes have and are being made in Iraq, so who remembers what is a little moot, but I digress.
My side? Well, you asked:
Boer, First, Second, Malayan, Korean, Vietnam, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq.
Most all of 'em from start to finish.
But that's the country I call home, It's not really where I'm FROM. Same as you good self I'd suggest, Bricky. I could seriously muddy your waters by telling you of an ancestral line that as shown a propensity for conquest that would make Dubya weep with desire, but I digress further.
So we've come to this then have we, stats? My team / your team. IMHO you trivialise the whole discussion when you want statistics like that. How do you stack up against the British Empire Hmm? Or the Ottoman Turks, Alexander the Great, hell, while we're at it, the Romans?? Hell, I nearly forgot Napoleon.
The ability to prevail in most conflicts largely due to crushing weight of numbers and weaponry, in MODERN history, hardly equates to proof of moral right, don't you think?
And let's not forget who the "willing" are. U.K.- well, Blair's weak and they can hardly afford to miss this one if they still want to power-share the running of the world now can they? Aussies?- another downpayment on the busted ANZUS treaty, just in case Indonesia look our way. The Europeans that did go? Most of 'em needed the money for their coming- out ball when they appeared from behind the Iron Curtain and needed a new dress to wear at the NATO piss-up.

One current = Iraq, one undecided = Which??:confused:

Most of this trans Atlantic tit-for-tat is utter childish crap. The truth is that ALL Western nations have begun an inglorious slide towards oblivion. No Western country has the will to win anywhere, anymore. Most of you people are very lucky that you are not going to be around at the end of this century as your countries are going to be run in a far different way than they are now. Spare some thought for your grandchildren and the life you are condemming them to.
GAGS
E86

LOL
 

Don't you mean trans-Pacific??:= :ok: :E

Eagle 86, save your doomsday predictions for the street corners and the naive. The fact that George W and a select few lackies (Australia first among them) are bumbling around in the middle east is not indicative of some sort of imminent decline of Western civilization.

"Won't someone think of the little children?" Please.

Biggles,
I'd probably count you among the naive!
GAGS
e86

Aaaah, well. This one's run it's course then. Just starting to get hot'n'heavy too.
Back to the bar.:}

Jeez, folks, lighten up. My tongue-in-cheek "stats" post was meant to be exactly that.

Damn, I hate it when I don't spot the tongue-in-cheek!:O
You'll have to forgive us Brickmeister, old boy.
Ya public profile looks like a napalm 'em all sorta guy.:eek:
Or do you prefer to just watch?
Coat / Door

Crossbleed,

Doubt there was much tongue in the cheek actually as in my experiance on these forums there are one or two "good ol boy's" who take real umbrage when you take a swipe the US:rolleyes:

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

ABIW,

I'm not sure I would cast aspersions on the good ol' boys. For better or for worse, I'm a Brit here in the US. In the UK, I've noticed a distinct loss of "national identity". In days gone by, those who sought to cast aspersions on the UK got a swift "orf with their heads". Ruthlessly.

As time rolled on, perhaps it wasn't entirely appropriate to rape foreign lands, and the Commonwealth came about. We matured. Our offspring, the United States, is still maturing as a nation. What defiant young adult hasn't set out to "show the world"? A couple of hundred years is a mere augenblick.

In the US, I've noticed a distinct solidarity of the nation. United behind the flag. Along the way, I can't help feeling the UK lost its way a bit. Perhaps that is what happens in old age. But for now, the US is a virile youngster, and making its mark.

Anyhoo (to use an Americanism), this thread started out about the US Flag being worn ass backwards. In summary, if the "traditional view" US flag is worn on the right arm, it is ass backwards.

How could you get "napalm 'em all" from my profile? As a controller ('scuse me, "Air Battle Manager ((I kid you not!))), I much prefer watching at one g, preferably with a cup of coffee. Now nuke 'em all, that's a different story!!!


And for the Capt re Somalia - it was in support of a humanitarian mission. I certainly would not call that a war. Nevertheless, nearly two dozen good men died for no real reason.

Oh, so you now can divine underlying intent for others as well?

I'm happy to take 'incoming' about the US as long as you are willing to catch return volleys. Or can it only be one-sided lest you take 'umbrage?'