[badalou]

Sears is in trouble because they are selling a tee shirt with an image of one of the Army's most recognized units in world war II. The big red one. Army 1st division which my Uncle served in. You just never know. many service people are upset that a child will wear this to school as if it was just a decoration. here is a link to the info. My question is.. What do you think.. Are there some designs that push the limit on what is called decoration and those that may be offensive to some groups. Lou

Society of the First Infantry Division - The Big Red One - News

 

[VirtualIsland]

As you said you never know! I think that someone will always be offended with something that someone may print on a tee,I know I have been offended many times,but I also put it into prospective and use my "power"(super! he he) to use that time to discuss with my kids how I feel about it and how I can change it.

Also Lou what are you doing up isn't it like 5am in ca?

 

[tjawg]

It's hard to say how you would feel unless you've served. I have not, but I do appreciate those who have, and would respect their opinions.

I don't see myself how having remembrances of them decorating our shirts can be so offensive, no more than any of the other army gear kids wear.

 

[MotoskinGraphix]

It looks like the army went around the goup who were merchandising pub glasses, teddy bears, golf shirts, tee shirts and just about everything else they could print on. I guess the point being who owns the rights to the logo and what is fair use. I respect the members as my father is a vet of WWII but the argument is weak when looking at the merchandise selection. I would like to see the SEARS lineup for comparison. As far as wearing the insignia for decoration, SEARS could go around that one with a history hangtag. The bald eagle and american flag are worn for decoration everyday.

Best scenario is some youths buy the gear and wear it. A BIG RED ONE vet sees them and gives them an education before history gets rewritten.

Remember, everything offends someone at one point or another.

 

[corytrevor]

It seems like somebody is offended by everything these days. It even seems like Group A points out things that Group B should be offended by... even if nobody in Group A has said anything. My motto is "Would Steve McQueen be offended by this?" I guess that's not really a motto, but it works for me.

 

[Girlzndollz]

At first reading this thread title, I assumed there was an infringement here, but not the case:

The first line of the article says a license was granted:

Recently, a low-level representative of the US Army granted a license to Sears to produce a clothing line which displayed the insignia of our Division. Sears released the clothing line in September.

This is what I see in the world more and more. While wearing a tee shirt isn't the same as someone wearing the actual insignia, as in, they got their hands on the real insignia and they are wearing it without earning it. Everyone knows the tee shirt wearer did not earn anything so it is meaningless in that regard -- it is a bit disrespectful in my opinion.

For those who fought and served, it means so much, and it's different for them than it is for us. Civilians can't understand the true meaning.

It's like so many other things that are going to the wayside in our society. Respect is going to the wayside, and someone representing the Army gave a LICENSE to Sears to do this.... so it's all approved by whoever issues the licenses... they've commercialized an honor.

Don't let it shock you, as all around us, these things are happening. Either have to stand up by not purchasing, or adapt.

There is a difference between being offended by someone's long hair or short hair, and being offended by a disrespectful situation to a group of people who deserve our utmost respect.

This is just my opinion, and you are free to be offended by it if you wish.
No disrespect was intended in the writing of this post.

 

[wormil]

Well I did serve, though not in the Big Red One, and this is a silly and shortsighted knee-jerk reaction. And I wouldn't characterize it as Sears being in trouble, this is just one guy or a small group with his panties in a wad. I belong to my former unit's association and some of these guys forget that the association is just a club of veterans. Unit badges and logos are the property of the US Army and they can, and will, do as they please. I see no disrespect in putting the badge on a t-shirt and if anything it is a way of honoring the service of those veterans. IMO General Rhames should reconsider his statements.

 

[lizziemaxine]

While wearing a tee shirt isn't the same as someone wearing the actual insignia, as in, they got their hands on the real insignia and they are wearing it without earning it.

And you can buy the real insignia of any unit of any of the armed forces on a daily basis at military surplus stores and gun shows. So, to see someone wearing the insignia doesn't mean they earned it.

 

[wormil]

That's true Jane and young people have been wearing military surplus complete with unit patches since long before I was born.

 

[brentonchad]

Although I didn't serve I do realize the concept of "earning the right" to wear a uniform or isignia. However I think David made an excellent point that kids wearing these shirts probably have no idea what they are wearing and gives veterans an excellent opportunity to engage with these kids. I would have expected the exact opposite reaction.

I think it's a croc! While that unit is very significant in our military - they are no more significant than any of the others. I don't hear the rest of them crying about me wearing my US ARMY t-shirt or someone selling that?

I wonder if they are offended striclty because they are selling items with the insignia (which it looks as if anyone can purchase) and now there is competition.

I always thought when I wore my t-shirts that said "US Army", "MARINES", etc that I was showing my appreciation for them - no different than when I wear my Texas Longhorns shirt. (Don't jump my *** about comparing sports to the military because I am not! - it's the idea of why you purchase and wear the shirt!)

 

[knifemaker3]

Although I have the deepest respect for those who have served, I really don't see this as being disrespectful. I have sold shirts that showed respect to all branches or the service, most bought by people who were either serving or had a family member who was and was buying the shirt to show their support.
I have seen many a proud parent or grandparent with a shirt, bumper sticker, hat, etc. that said "MY _______ is serving. GO (whatever unit they serve in).
In my opinion, I think there is probably more an issue of someone getting mad because Sears is going to profit off of the use of their insignia than an actual case of someone feeling like they've been disrespected.

Just my opinion.

 

[Girlzndollz]

I didn't know it was just a club insignia. In my mind, I likened it to cheapening the Purple Heart by selling them commercially for all to wear. That's me being a civilian. I just don't know enough about what's sacred and what's not, so I just err on the side of respecting what I don't know about or truly understand the significance of.

 

[HelpRunMyShop]

Hey i was in the big red one

 

[Girlzndollz]

Hey i was in the big red one

Lol... well, are you offended or flattered?

 

[HelpRunMyShop]

I didnt go see the shirts but oh well history channel plays big red one videos all the time.

 

[BlackAndOrange]

I dont want to ruffle any feathers and would have agreed that they have a legitimate gripe on their hands...until I saw that from the same web site that you linked to, they are selling a whole array of apparel with this same insignia on it. The order form is a standard order form and looks like any person with a credit card can purchase a shirt from their site.
This makes me wonder...are they upset that "kids" are wearing the insignia without earning it or are they are upset that they arent getting a bigger piece of the Sears pie.

 

[badalou]

As you said you never know! I think that someone will always be offended with something that someone may print on a tee,I know I have been offended many times,but I also put it into prospective and use my "power"(super! he he) to use that time to discuss with my kids how I feel about it and how I can change it.

Also Lou what are you doing up isn't it like 5am in ca?

When I lost my computer to a virus I had to rebuild it and I had problems getting my cutter to work with my software. It kept reading time out and would not load the production manager (Flexisign pro 7.6) Could not get it. kept reloading it and trying this and that.. then at 4AM I woke up.. DING!!! or should I say daaaa.. Evertime I tried to get it to work I forgot to turn on the cutter... so I guess that was a daaaa! I also invented the tee square and the logo it in the wee hours of the morning... Then I go back to bed..

 

[wormil]

Here is another article about the clothing:
LJWorld.com / Sears to market Big Red One sportswear

Some relevant bits:

Royalties from sales will go to programs for soldiers and their families

Maj. Nathan Bond, spokesman for the division at Fort Riley, said it’s an honor for the division, which was told of the plan before it was rolled out.

Army officials say the new clothing line will be a way for Americans to show their pride, while also elevating the Army’s profile.

I suspect this was what really ruffled General Rhames.

Such items previously were sold only through veterans organizations, such as the Society of the 1st Infantry Division.

 

[Girlzndollz]

Guess that explains it all, Rick. I was thinking after Brad posted, if the group themselves aren't offended, that's what matters, not my opinion, which is why I asked Brad his opinion.

Looks like the majority of BRO's are proud of it, so more power to it then. I'm almost tired of having an opinion anyway. Opinions are getting worn out to me. Alright... have a great night. Thanks for the extra digging.