Vanessa Hicks Photography A baby wrapped in an American flag being held by a Navy sailor sounds like a beautiful picture full of meaning and patriotism. It shows that the father or mother is a veteran who had a child and wanted to show off both their love of country and family. Sounds like it is alright, doesn’t it? However, it was instead full of controversy that showed immense disrespect to those in uniform and to freedom of speech.

This is absolutely ridiculous. Instead of promoting support for our troops and their families, a FaceBook page called You Call Yourself a Photographer blasted the photo and the photographer, as well as the father who was holding the flag, shortly after the proud mother posted the picture online. The page read “”The flag is not a prop. I repeat: THE FLAG IS NOT A PROP. To use the American flag in such a way is disrespectful, rude, tacky, disgusting, and against the U.S. Flag Code. Not only the photo, but the service member that was in the photo – saying he should be reprimanded; he should be kicked out; he’s dishonoring the uniform. You have disgraced our fallen soldiers as well by disobeying that code. I don’t know what the military teaches these days but I do know my son was taught the flag code and also taught that any disobedience towards that code would result in repercussions from your command….yet here you are in uniform, name fully visible, on a photographer’s Facebook page disobeying that code and dishonoring our fallen soldiers and you obviously don’t care.”

As the daughter of a deployed Navy veteran of 26-years, and a Civil Air Patrol cadet, I know the flag code. It is never to be used as a prop or to be treated in a disrespectful manner. However, according to the photographer, the flag was indeed a prop, a retired practice flag that has never been flown. To bash the photographer and demand the Navy lieutenant (shown by his insignia on his uniform) to be kicked out of the military is simply outrageous and overly harsh. This picture is nothing but patriotic and is absolutely beautiful.

The First Amendment guarantees some of most important rights; freedom of expression and the press. The photographer used her rights well within limits. Furthermore, it is legal to burn the American flag as a form of expression. So, what is the problem with wrapping a baby in a flag to express oneself? Reviewers, which is what this FaceBook page is full of, should know this and support it, not attack it.

This photographer is expressing her freedom of speech in a respectful manner. The page administrator was also expressing their freedom of speech, albeit in a disrespectful manner. However, when expressing an opinion or showing some criticism, especially if one is a business reviewer, stay respectful and professional. Also, do not disrespect men in uniform, they have given up more for their country than many will ever realize.There is such thing as the abuse of a right, which is what happened here.