View attachment 6573
In 1986, I had the honor of taking a unit of Marines to join some sailors to line the stairs of the San Francisco City Hall as "window dressing" for the politicians who were jostling to be part of the re-commissioning of the USS Missouri. Somehow, I was tasked with calling all assembled to attention for the event and stood there alongside the men as the elected officials (including Mayor Diane Feinstein) made their remarks. I got a kick of how she jumped when I barked out the command to attention in the large room!
While I can't be seen in the picture, this is a picture from the event and the scene.
I always felt it was close to the line we are discussing in this thread. You can read some of the mid-1980's political issues this event stirred up in this article.
After 30 years in mothballs and a stint as a floating museum, the battleship Missouri was recommissioned Saturday to the sound of naval bands, a 19-gun salute, solemn speeches and a few catcalls of protest.
www.latimes.com
.
What really stunk was when the TV cameras were turned off and the politicians all moved upstairs for a banquet, we were all told to leave and get back on the buses. No food, water, head calls, nothing. Basically... we are done with you. Get out.
I agree the Army soldiers should not have been part of this Democratic convention roll-call camera shot. But sometimes the line can be fuzzy.