Photo suggests GI ducked flag salute

DENVER - A photo posted on Instagram that appeared to show a soldier deliberately avoiding saluting the flag touched off a military investigation and a storm of criticism.

Fort Carson officials issued a statement Wednesday saying they are aware of a social-media post purportedly made by Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey indicating she stayed in her car to avoid a flag ceremony and they are looking into the situation. Sheffey is assigned to the 59th Quartermaster Company, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, which provides supplies and support to soldiers.

Comments posted with the photo showing a female soldier in uniform relaxing in a car said, “This is me laying back in my car hiding so I don’t have to salute the [5 p.m. flag ceremony].” Her comments also told people to keep any angry responses to themselves. The story was first reported by the Army Times.

The initial post was later taken down. Fort Carson spokesman Dani Johnson said Sheffey wasn’t available for comment Wednesday.

Fort Carson officials said Wednesday that they will continue to educate soldiers on standards and discipline and appropriate professional conduct on social media. Officials from Fort Carson reviewed the military’s social-media policies at a news conference Wednesday but refused to discuss the investigation.

Ami Neiberger-Miller, spokesman for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which has helped 44,000 people who have lost loved ones since 1994, said Wednesday that thousands of people have lost their lives fighting for the American flag.

“I think any patriotic person would find this offensive,” she said.

Neiberger-Miller said this is the second serious incident in a week. Last week, two Wisconsin National Guard members were suspended in an investigation stemming from a photograph showing soldiers clowning around by an empty, flag-draped coffin at a Guard training facility in North Little Rock.

Front Section, Pages 7 on 02/27/2014

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