The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
40°F
Current Conditions
Light rain
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Vet calls for flag amendment

At the AMVETS 60th National Convention, from left, Sons of AMVETS National Commander Charles Summerall, Ladies Auxiliary National President Virginia Hays and AMVETS National Commander S. John Sisler head a memorial procession to honor the passing of fellow members Tuesday. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
By Kevin Graman kevingr@spokesman.com
At the AMVETS 60th National Convention, from left, Sons of AMVETS National Commander Charles Summerall, Ladies Auxiliary National President Virginia Hays and AMVETS National Commander S. John Sisler head a memorial procession to honor the passing of fellow members Tuesday. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

Preaching to the choir about an issue near to veterans’ hearts, a Medal of Honor recipient told 1,000 delegates to the national AMVETS convention in Spokane that candidates who do not support a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag do not deserve their votes.

“Beware of the candidate who tells you I love the flag but don’t support the amendment,” said retired Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady, a Vietnam War veteran who now leads the Citizens Flag Alliance. The keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the convention said flag protection should be a litmus test for candidates.

AMVETS, with about 180,000 members in 1,400 posts nationwide, has been an advocate of veterans’ issues for nearly 60 years.

The flag amendment was one of 40 issues on the veterans’ agenda this week. Other items included veterans’ health care, re-employment rights of National Guard and Reserve soldiers and POW/MIA recovery and identification.

“Americans have no kings or queens, dukes or duchesses, but they do have nobility, and they are our veterans,” Brady told the crowd filling two ballrooms of the Red Lion Hotel at the Park on Tuesday.

Brady bemoaned the fact that surveys show few Americans know it is not illegal to burn the flag and fewer know where their elected officials stand on the issue of a constitutional amendment to protect the flag. This year marks the fifth time the issue has been brought before Congress since a 1989 Supreme Court decision defined flag-burning as protected speech.

He said five senators, including Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., have yet to declare how they will vote on the amendment, which has already passed the House this year. Brady said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., has consistently voted against allowing the amendment to go to state legislatures for ratification.

“I am personally offended by incidents of flag burning, and I have tremendous admiration for our veterans who fought for the freedoms that our flag represents,” Murray said Tuesday in response. “While I understand and respect work to protect the flag, I do not believe we should amend the Constitution to limit the freedom of expression, no matter how offensive that expression might be.”

AMVETS, with more than 2,600 members in Washington state, is one of four veteran service organizations that join forces each year to develop policy and budget recommendations on programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor.

Their “The Independent Budget” called for a $3.1 billion increase in fiscal 2005 VA spending over this year’s $25.9 billion appropriation, said Richard Jones, national legislative director for AMVETS. He said that is how much it would take to provide full funding for veterans health care. Since their report was issued, the veteran groups have said they would settle for a $2.5 billion increase in funding, which would leave an estimated 320,000 to 360,000 middle-class veterans without VA care, Jones said.

However, the budget increase now being considered in Congress is between $1.4 billion and $1.9 billion, Jones said, at least a $600 million shortfall to be spread out across the entire VA system.

The convention continues through Saturday with retired Air Force Brig. Gen Wilma Vaught speaking today and Assistant Secretary of Defense Jerry D. Jennings speaking on Friday.