Flag Pin Politics: Sarah Palin Not Wearing Israeli Flag Pin, It’s A…
September 5, 2008 | Permalink
Given all the buzz that was generated in some circles earlier in campaign over Obama not wearing an American flag pin, the topic of flag pins is now at least worth a brief mention on this site. Governor Palin wears a flag pin that on camera looks very similar to the Israeli flag. You can see her wearing it when McCain announced her as his running mate on August 29, during her convention speech and several other occassions. However, a close up image shows that it is not an Israeli flag, rather, it is a Blue Star service lapel pin and is worn to designate having a child (or close relative) in combat.
The confusion is understandable though, given the Israeli flag that she keeps in her office and the difficulty in seeing the detail of the flag on television and in photos, it is easy to mistake it for the Israeli flag. I suggest picking up a slighlty more vibrant version (like this one, which is available for $3.95).
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If you want to show Sarah some support with style I found her pins at http://www.mccainbling.com. They have cool stuff that is stylish and supportive too!
I love the pins Sarah wears and found them over at http://www.mccainbling.com. They have cool stuff and it shows patriotism and Sarah support to wear them!
If she had been following proper flag etiquette, she would have place the pin BELOW the American flag pin, which should be placed above all other flag/pendants, etc.
Does she have other relatives in combat? Because she was wearing that pin weeks before her son left Alaska for combat in Iraq.
I don’t begrudge a Blue Star mom (or dad) wearing a lapel pin. I do however believe that, if an American flag pin was sooooo important for Obama to wear, all candidates should wear one All the time, especially the “we support the troops” ticket of McCain/Palin. Where are their flags? McCain didn’t even wear one during the debate. Did he think we wouldn’t notice or that we don’t care about the double standard that apparantly eludes that campaign?
The Blue Star pin is described by the military as follows:
The blue star represents a family member currently serving during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities.
Can be worn by immediate family members defined as: wife, husband, mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, Parent through adoption, foster parents who stand or stood in loco parents, children, step children, children through adoption, brothers, sisters, half brothers and half sisters. Grandparents very often display these flags as well.
To include all active and reserve duty military personnel currently in service to their country.
Displayed during and for the duration of any war or armed conflict.