Product Review – Welcome Home Our Heroes Flag

Thousands of troops are slated to come home soon. Are you ready to greet them? Do so with this one of kind “Welcome Home Our Heroes” flag that is 100% made in the U.S.A. Fly it proudly at your home or business to show the world that you appreciate the sacrifices our troops make each and every day for our country.

This flag comes in 3'x5' size only and is available for $36.95. Check it out at Shining Star Flags & Bandanas today!

Product Review - U.S. Navy Flag

The United States Navy was originally established in 1775, largely to offset the powerful British naval forces. However, a debate in Congress ensued as to whether to maintain a navy and, for the most part, the United States did not have a navy until the mid-1790s after war broke out in Europe. Today, the United States Navy is one of the most powerful arsenals this country has in fighting enemies at home and abroad. Able to provide fighting forces in the air, on land and on the sea, the United States Navy is routinely called on by its country to defend freedom around the world.

David Glasgow Farragut was the Navy's first Admiral. Known for capturing the key port of New Orleans in the Civil War, Admiral Farragut's naval service started before the war at the ripe old age of nine. He saw his first battle at age 11 and commanded his first ship at age 12. Now, that is amazing!

Shining Star Flags & Bandanas offers high-quality nylon U.S. Navy flags that are 100% made in the United States of America. We have 2'x3', 3'x5' and 4'x6' sizes available. We also offer a yellow fringed indoor crown flag in 3'x5' and 4'x6' sizes only.

We ask all active duty personnel, veterans, their families, and Americans to show their support for the U.S. Navy and fly its flag today!

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance the Wrong Way

I have been told from time to time that we Americans are saying the Pledge of Allegiance incorrectly. Every time we say “one Nation under God” we pause between the words “one Nation” and “under God” as if there was a comma after Nation.

If you look at 4 USCS 4, you will find the following:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

Sure enough, according to this Federal Statute, the phrase is “one Nation under God” without a comma. So, why do we pause? I am not sure of the origin of this tradition. Perhaps it's verbal laziness when having to recite something from memory. Perhaps it was a conscious decision among some early on that believe an impermissible government endorsement of religion, which functions to enforce a religious orthodoxy of monotheism, occurs when we recite this phrase without a pause.

I particularly don't care one way or another how we say “one Nation under God,” as long as we say it. When you start to mess with the Pledge of Allegiance by removing the phrase “under God,” that's a different story. It is interesting to learn that for all of these years we have been reciting the pledge incorrectly. Maybe it's time we make a change... and remove the pause.

Violence in Iraq Drops to its Lowest Levels Since August 2003

The U.S. Military reported yesterday that violence in Iraq has dropped to its lowest levels since August 2003. In Baghdad alone, violence has decreased 90% since the surge of U.S. troops began in 2007. The Iraqi security forces have grown 25% in the last year to 618,000 contributing to the improved security.

Unfortunately, the mainstream media doesn't report good news coming out of Iraq and even if it did, with the economic crisis we are in, the news of improved security in Iraq likely wouldn't make the front page or the nightly news.

It's only a matter of time that Iraq will be able to fully handle its own security allowing U.S. troops to start coming home. A democratic Iraq, in what is still a very unstable region of the world, will go a long way in helping the United States and its allies ensure that Iran remains nuclear-free and is our best bet for long lasting peace in the Middle East.

At the risk of sounding redundant, history will vindicate this war and George W. Bush who chose to wage it. Probably not in our lifetime, but maybe in our kids' lifetime. The Civil War was an unpopular war in the North and early Southern victories made it, along with the President, even more unpopular. Today, President Lincoln is hailed as a hero for his fight to keep the Union together and freeing the slaves. Although the Civil War was a tragedy due the massive life lost, it is viewed by many as a success. That is why it is important to always keep things in perspective.

Source: Department of Defense

Product Review: Camouflage Bandanas

Do you love wearing camouflage clothing? Well, now you can get camouflage bandanas at a super low price of only $1.95 per bandana. At Shining Star Flags & Bandanas, we have everything from the traditional Woodland Camo style to the new Digital Desert Camo style. All of our camouflage bandanas are made 100% in the United States of America.

Each bandana is 22”x22” and dyed with brilliant colors. With shipping based on weight of the product, you are able to order up to a dozen bandanas, depending on the style, for a flat $4.80 with delivery in 2 to 3 days from the date the order is processed.

Take a look at the wide variety of Camouflage Bandanas we offer today!

Ready to be Taxed on the Amount of Miles You Drive?

In an Associated Press story today, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he wants to consider taxing motorists based on the number of miles they drive rather than how much gasoline they burn. Concerned that gasoline taxes will no longer be able to adequately fund infrastructure projects, Mr. LaHood believes a “Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax” may be a long-term solution.

Believe it or not, the move to consider such tax is largely due to the arrival of fuel efficient cars, such as hybrids. These vehicles consume much less gas than their counterparts thus reducing the tax revenue states and the Federal government receive from the sale of gasoline. If instituted, a Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax would essentially cause motorists who drive fuel efficient cars to pay just as much in taxes as motorists who drive gas guzzlers, thereby possibly causing a disincentive to switch to a fuel efficient vehicle. Clearly, such tax would hammer those Americans who drive a lot for their jobs or who have to commute.

Privacy advocates are most concerned that the way to track miles driven would be the requirement that every vehicle be equipped with global satellite positioning technology, a transponder, a clock and other equipment to track the number of miles one drives. To add insult to injury, the devices could be programmed to charge higher tax rates to vehicles that are heavier and therefore place additional stress on roads. Frankly, if a tax like this were implemented a Pandora's box would be opened on how such information could be used by law enforcement since it would be able to track where one drives and at what time. I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to using this technology on convicted felons, parolees, etc., but do we really want every driving American to give up this privacy? Interesting question.

I suppose when people start giving up their vehicles to ride bikes to work, the next thing we'll hear is the government talking about putting GPS devices and transponders on bicycles. Let's just hope that when you decide to walk to work, the government doesn't contemplate slapping such devices on your leg.

Remember the Boston Tea Party? Well, maybe when Americans start pushing their vehicles into the Boston Harbor, the Crown (I mean, the Federal government) will finally get a clue.

Product Review - U.S. Air Force Flag

The United States Air Force can trace its roots back to August 1, 1907 when it was formed as an Aeronautical Division of the Army Signal Corps. In 1920, the Air Service (as it was called then) was officially made a combat arm of the U.S. Army and its name was changed to the Air Corps in 1926. The Air Corps remained a part of the U.S. Army until September 18, 1947 when it won its independence and became known as the United States Air Force.

THE AIRMAN'S CREED

This is the Airman's promise to country and colleagues.

I am an American Airman.
I am a warrior.
I have answered my nation's call.

I am an American Airman.
My mission is to fly, fight, and win.
I am faithful to a proud heritage,
a tradition of honor,
and a legacy of valor.

I am an American Airman,
guardian of freedom and justice,
my nation's sword and shield,
its sentry and avenger.
I defend my country with my life.

I am an American Airman:
wingman, leader, warrior.
I will never leave an airman behind,
I will never falter,
and I will not fail.

Shining Star Flags & Bandanas is proud to offer high-quality nylon U.S. Air Force flags made 100% in the United States of America. We have 2'x3', 3'x5' and 4'x6' sizes available. We also offer a yellow fringed indoor crown flag in 3'x5' and 4'x6' sizes only.

Show your support for the U.S. Air Force and fly its flag today!