Folks, last year at this time, I posted a number of commemorative videos to help you celebrate Memorial Day.
“The True Meaning of Memorial Day” can be seen here, and Ray Charles marvelously singing “America the Beautiful” here.
By far, the most popular was “Another Memorial Day Video: Baseball Hero Saves the American Flag.”
In it, the uplifting story of Chicago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday was told:
[T]hirty years ago this past April, as America was in the process of celebrating its bicentennial, Chicago Cubs centerfielder Rick Monday, a former Marine Corps Reservist, made one of the greatest plays in baseball history…but it didn’t involve a ball, a bat, or a glove.
As protestors were trying to set fire to an American flag in the centerfield of Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, Monday darted by, grabbed Old Glory, and saved her from a disturbing fate in front of a huge Chavez Ravine crowd.
According to Inside Baseball: “This moment and the symbol it represented – freedom, history and those who have lost their lives in battle to save Old Glory – had countless Americans talking; from politicians in Washington, D.C. and throughout the country to military veterans to everyday people. It was ranked as one of the top 100 classic moments in baseball history by the National Baseball Hall of Fame committee and third on Sporting News’ list as the most ‘unusual’ moment to occur on a major league baseball field.”
This marvelous video (hat tip to reader Airforce_5_0) is a four-minute tribute to the event, including video footage, and interviews with Monday as well as then Dodger third-base coach Tommy Lasorda. Enjoy.
Update: A full transcript of this video along with another picture of the event follow courtesy of MLB.
Please enjoy your Memorial Day.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
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One can never see that video
May 28, 2007 - 10:55 ET by ArchConservativeOne can never see that video too many times. The scumbag flagburners thinking that no one would dare take the flag and then Monday comes in and snatches it. Classic!
You can see America right there: the liberals (flag burner, dopehead, anti-veteran types) against the conservatives (Mr Monday saving the American flag). Hmmmm. Some things never ever change.
"Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."
- President George W Bush September 2001 speech to a joint session of Congress.
Thanks Noel.
May 28, 2007 - 10:57 ET by FastEdThanks Noel.
Noel,I remember this from las
May 28, 2007 - 11:08 ET by BlondeNoel,
I remember this from last year...and was going to ask you to repost it. Then decided that was particularly lazy on my part. But you beat me to it.
Nicely done.
To those who want to burn the flag----
May 28, 2007 - 11:18 ET by misterbillTo those who want to burn the flag---- please go here first to get permission.
Where’s the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land? And the parent that wouldn't be honored by the sacrifice?
Sir Walter Scott & Noel Sheppard
The Grand Old FlagTo those
May 28, 2007 - 12:34 ET by Conservative VoiceThe Grand Old Flag
To those who are serving, or who have served...God Bless You!
Thanks for the posting, Noel.
May 28, 2007 - 14:55 ET by c5thenI saved it so I can re-watch it on flag day too.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic
That was indeed one of the gr
May 28, 2007 - 15:14 ET by zfThat was indeed one of the great moments in baseball, right up there with any game-related atheletic feat.
A Marine and the flag. You
May 28, 2007 - 16:46 ET by kevcadA Marine and the flag. You should never try to desecrate Old Glory when a devil dog is nearby.
That picture and that moment is baseball's "Iwo Jima".
That was beautiful, Noel.....
May 29, 2007 - 01:32 ET byThat was beautiful, Noel..... Thanks for sharing that.
I believe it should be a crime to burn the flag. Yes, we do have freedom of speech, and it is definitely a form of speech to burn the flag. But as such, it is saying 'death to our country,' which is treasonous and treason is a crime.
Hope you had a blessed Memorial day.
Debra...
Rick Monday
May 29, 2007 - 10:28 ET by Hoosier DaddyDebra, with all due respect I have to disagree with you. Setting fire to an American flag (other than to honourably retire it) is despicable. I liken it to Nazis marching in Skokie. Let 'em march but to empty streets - no audience.
What Rick Monday did is to be lauded and praised. If he had "accidently" busted those guys in the chops on the way by or stepped on the hand holding the match you'd hear no complaint from me. However, maybe his restraint showed who's the bigger man.
"When you're runnin' down my country, Hoss, you're walkin' on the fightin' side of me." God bless America.
Evolutionists have heard of Darwin; Creationists understand Darwin.
I would condone buring teh fl
May 29, 2007 - 16:28 ET by Dan The Man 2I would condone buring teh flag if the the one who wants it burned is tied up with it and burned along with teh flag.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark. -- save my gun, shoot a liberal.
Dan...That would work!Help a
May 29, 2007 - 16:31 ET by Clear thinkerDan...
That would work!
Help a wounded soldier here...
http://newsbusters.org/node/12877
We did it to a beat-up flag
May 29, 2007 - 16:36 ET by sarcasmoWe did it to a beat-up flag as Boy Scouts, but back then (I'm old) it wasn't so-controversial and burning them was a convenient disposal method. Now emotion reigns...
JMR
Burning is the correct way to
May 30, 2007 - 08:04 ET by BeowulfBurning is the correct way to dispose of damaged or worn flags. It is however, to be done with respect, which doesn't apply to these disgraceful "protestors". And I totally agree with Hoosier. Burning the flag is not free speech. It is an action. And it adheres to the three D's - Disrespectful, Despicable, Disgraceful. It should not be tolerated, MOST ESPECIALLY when the flags of other countries http://eye-on-the-world.blogspot.com/2007/05/city-sued-for-preventing-mexican-flag.html, or even TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/08/EDGRJN76O61.DTL, are better protected than Old Glory.
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
"...it is definitely a f
May 29, 2007 - 12:39 ET by MikeB"...it is definitely a form of speech to burn the flag." I must disagree with you and the Supreme Court on this point. Burning the flag is not speech, it is an action. However, if the SCOTUS holds that burning a flag is protected political speech, then beating the living sh*t out of a flag burner should also be protected political speech. Just as the flag burning imparts to onlookers that the burner is opposed to some policy of the United States, the beating of the flag burner is just our way of saying, "I most respectfully disagree with you." The flag burner, instead of burning a flag, can stand up and say, "I disagree with the policy of the United States for the following reason(s)." That would be speech to be protected. Their burning of the flag, as far as I am concerned, is the same as if they were using "fighting words", and any harm resulting to them would be richly deserved.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Love this image. LOVE IT.Espe
May 29, 2007 - 09:55 ET by Hero SquadLove this image. LOVE IT.
Especially how the guy attempting to burn it looks like he still trying to start a fire after the flag was snatched away. See how pot slows your reflexes!
"Dude, where's my flag?"
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
My Chicago Cubs: The Real Ame
May 29, 2007 - 10:00 ET by Chidi NwachukhuMy Chicago Cubs: The Real America's Team
Die hard Cub fan
May 29, 2007 - 12:09 ET by LionKingAs a lifelong and yes, die-hard Cub fan, I actually saw the broadcast of Rick Monday saving the flag. It really made me think about issues and patriotism. That event along with the Ronald Reagan presidency really shaped my conservative bent.
I consider myself a conservative American Christian above and beyond any party affiliations.
They're lucky is wasn't me. T
May 29, 2007 - 12:07 ET by BeowulfThey're lucky is wasn't me. They would have eaten some spiked shoes after I snatched the flag from them.
Burning the flag in protest is not only disrespectful, despicable, and disgraceful, it's a slap in the face of everyone who has ever worn our country's uniform to defend that flag, and these moron's very right to protest.
If anyone wants to complain about the congress-critters not having the balls to stand up for something, then their not passing the law half a year ago banning this most unpatriotic act is worth complaining about.
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers