Judge’s Response

To the Editor:

This is a message Judge Weber said he sent to multiple people who asked him why the flags at the courthouse were not at half staff to honor the fallen Marines:

Thank you for your inquiries with respect to flying the flag at half mast, your input as always is important to me. Having served 36 years in the Marine Corps and been with Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines when they have died in combat, and having made visits to homes at all hours of the day and night informing parents that their sons and daughters had given their lives – lowering our flag is not the way you honor them or their service, particularly when the combat operation is still ongoing. The way you honor these young men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the freedom of others is to fly our beautiful American flag high and proudly. It is what they would want and their loved ones expect. There are times when it is appropriate to fly our flag at half-staff for a designated period of time and that is laid our clearly in public law 94-344. With what happened to our Marines, Soldier and Navy Corpsman in Afghanistan under the conditions and environment in which they were serving and gave their lives, lowering our colors to half-staff was not appropriate. The best way to honor them is to recognize their selfless and sacrificial service publicly and most importantly, take care of their families. Again, thank you for your input because it is obvious to me that you are most grateful for the service of these incredibly brave young men and women, the sacrifice they and their families have made and thus want to see them honored, and as a Veteran and your County Judge, that means a lot to me.

Joe Weber

Fayette County Judge La Grange