Quote:No, it's a case of military "leaders" trying to dictate what can and can't be done at a retirement ceremony.



Well my response to RJ might shed a bit of light on it. To you and TAM, I'll share <a class="bbc_url" href='http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Oscar+Rodriguez'>this link</a>. The results come up with a story from Stars and Stripes (the military newspaper) as well as other news outlets reporting on the story.



You are very much wrong, though I do agree with you that it is a free speech issue.


Regarding your first point in bold, a retiring member has the privilage to invite guests to participate in every part of the ceremony whether it's giving a speech, being a member of the Color Guard to even giving an invocation.


Regarding the second part in bold, there is no "standard" text regarding the folding of the flag in the Air Force or any branch of service. There are traditional speeches and texts that are usually read or spoken, but there is no requirement for any of them.


Regarding the final part in bold, it wasn't the base commander that attempted to bar the retired Senior Master Sergeant, it was his unit commander. There is a difference.


From the Stars and Stripes article covering the story.

Oh ok. So based on these sources, he wasn't escorted out because of the word, God.


Unless you're saying that the leadership that kicked him out are so stupid and so [BLEEP] and so inexperienced to these retirement ceremonies that they didn't realize that the retiree can include religious verbiage because the air force concedes these ceremonies are personal.

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