While I would have to agree that the vehicles used by the FD/PD's are not personal property, and I agree as well that they are not places for a political platform, my view is that the display of the American flag is a form of support for many of the firefighters and LEO's that were called to duty. During the Gulf War, many of my colleagues were called up from their Reserve status to Active status from many branches of the U.S. military. Currently, during this crisis, over 700 members of my department have been activated once again for domestic and overseas military duty. Back then, and again today, I proudly wear an American flag lapel pin on my uniform, and display an American flag on the bumper of my department vehicle. I do so because I support my colleagues who have sacrificed their "normal" living arrangements, left their families, to answer the call for which they swore to delegate their best for the duties in which they serve to their country. Many firefighters are on active reserve, for which many have been called up for duty as well. It is not anywhere near a political statement; the size of my lapel pin is reasonable, the size of the bumper sticker is no more than 4"x6" - this is an ostensible display of support. And whatever individual feels that this is an unfair use of tax-payer equipment, allow me to point out that many of my brother and sister LEO's, as well as an innumerable score of firefighters, have paid the ultimate price for freedom in this country, and will continue to do so. There is an incredibly high price that has been paid for what we experience as liberty, and if I am to be discriminated against for being a public servant and have less of an equal share of my freedom to express support, then this country needs a slap in its proverbial face.
When my former Chief of Police demanded that American flags be removed from patrol cars during the deployment of men and women to Afghanistan, an incredible outcry came pouring out from the community. Not from the officers. They knew their place, and he was, after all, the Chief. But why the outcry from the community if the officers were willing to comply? Because it was that same community that recognized that we had placed many of our own in harms way to fulfill their duty to their country. The support for those individuals deserve to be recognized. Two weeks later, the Chief authorized the placement of American flag stickers uniformly on every bumper of every patrol vehicle. Even he could recognize that there was no political antagonism in displaying a flag, only a dedication to embracing our own heroes.
I am an American displaying an American flag, on an American vehicle, in an American city, serving the American people, upholding the U.S. and California Constitutions. Deny me that and I'll show you an indefinite score of Americans who are willing to stand up to that kind of ingnorance.
-Jim
