Patriotic ceremony occurs at Arnold AFB

Published June 27, 2006
By Philip Lorenz III
Arnold Engineering Development Center Public Affairs

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Representatives of the Patriot Guard Riders, including James Casciari and his sister, Barbara Lee Monday, visited Arnold Air Force Base to showcase a special U.S. flag. They also joined forces with center personnel in a unique flag-raising ceremony in front of the Administrative & Engineering Building June 20.

The Patriot Guard Riders' contingent brought along the flag Mrs. Monday's husband, Rick Monday, formerly a professional baseball player, rescued from being burned by a couple of protesters during a game held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles April 25, 1976.

The Patriot Guard is a diverse national group who share one thing in common — an unwavering show of respect for the U.S. flag.

Mr. Monday, who was playing centerfield for the Chicago Cubs that day, vividly recalled that day and his almost instinctual response.

"I saw them (the protesters) go and put the match down to the flag," he said. "It's soaked in lighter fluid at this time. Well, they can't light it if they don't have it. So I just scooped it up."

Mr. Monday also spoke about how his actions have impacted others from around the country.

"The letters I've received from that day have run the gamut of emotions," he said. "They've been from children who were not born yet and had only heard about it. They've been from Vietnam veterans.

"This soldier wrote that there were two things that he had with him in two tours of Vietnam. These two things kept him in check with reality. One was a small picture of his wife. The other was a small American flag that was neatly folded. The picture was folded inside the flag and in the left breast pocket of his uniform.

"He would be in mud for weeks and months at a time. Those two things were what he looked at to connect him with reality, other than his buddies, and some of them were lost in battle. He wrote in the letter, ‘Thanks for protecting what those of us who were in Vietnam held onto dearly.'

"That means something, because this wasn't just a flag on the field. This was a flag that people looked at with respect. We have a lot of rights and freedoms — not to sound corny — but we all have the option if we don't like something to make it better. Or you also have the option, if you don't like it, [to] pack up and leave. But don't come onto the field and burn an American flag."

An additional flag the group raised at Arnold Engineering Development Center was carried on board a UH-60A Blackhawk with the 57th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), in support of the 101st Airborne Division during combat operations over Iraq April 26.