Editor, the Auburn Plainsman
I am an alumna of Auburn University and have always been proud of that achievement.
However, today I was ashamed of my alma mater by the lack of respect shown for those brave soldiers who died and were injured at Fort Hood this past week.
I attended today’s game expecting to see the American flag being flown at half staff and expecting a moment of silence to be observed for those victims of this latest act of terrorism in America.
I was appalled when I saw the flag flying high and the pre-game festivities carried out as usual.
This lack of acknowledgement is in opposition to Governor Riley’s own directive issued Friday that flags should be flown at half staff on state government buildings until sunset Tuesday.
While Jordan-Hare Stadium is not a government building, it is part of a state university.
It’s ironic since he was actually attending the game today in order to bestow honors on Auburn University’s latest Homecoming Queen.
The lowering of the flag to half staff should have been an obvious action to take regardless of any political directive.
I was so distraught by this lack of respect that I questioned a security guard and eventually contacted facilities personnel via text message when I couldn’t locate an actual person.
The response I received stated that they had not received “any official notification” and that they would investigate.
Needless to say the flag was not lowered during the game. “Official notification” should not have been necessary for an action that is simple common sense.
Whatever the reason for the lack of attention to this matter, today Auburn University lost some of it’s glorious reputation.
I will end this message by sharing with you that before the game fans stopped where they stood and applauded the ROTC color guard as they marched down Donahue Drive.
These fans were not give “official notification” to show respect for our military.
These members of the Auburn Family knew to whom they owe there gratitude and RESPECT!
I can only hope that the leadership at Auburn University can learn from this outrageous lack of consideration and improve the University’s actions in the future.
Ramona Delicia Northcutt
alumna,
Class of 1995
In a November 29 column, Washington Times columnist Jeffrey Kuhner wrote:
“Our perverse military culture now targets its heroes, while promoting and turning a blind eye to a homegrown terrorist such as Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. For years, Maj. Hasan publicly acknowledged his sympathy for jihadism before the massacre for which he is accused was committed at Fort Hood. The result was 14 dead (including an unborn child) and 29 wounded in the worst terrorist atrocity on U.S. soil since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The Army's knee-jerk reaction, however, was to defend "diversity." …Said Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff. ‘[A]s horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that's worse.’ No, it isn't. What is worse is how the virus of political correctness has infected our military - to the point, where our Islamic outreach efforts have descended into the theater of the absurd. Diversity is not our strength; unity is - unity of purpose, will and commitment. We used to know that.”
Where is Auburn's "commitment"?