Canes' Gleason presents Olympic-signed flag to Marines

Raleigh, N.C. — Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason delivered an autographed American flag Thursday to Marines from Camp Lejeune.

“What the soldiers are doing over there is so important for us as a country,” Gleason said after meeting the10 Marines in a suite at the RBC Center on Thursday evening.

The flag, signed by members of the Olympic silver medalist U.S. hockey team, was presented to Lt. Col. John McDonough, of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines Regiment based at Camp LeJeune.

“To know what these folks have going on – training for professional hockey, being part of the Olympic team – that they would take time to do something like that, it’s going to mean a lot to them,” McDonough said.

Gleason said more than 20 members of the team signed the flag. “I told them what it was for and before you knew it, it was signed,” he said.

Gleason also brought his Olympic silver medal for the Marines to view.

“I think Tim is natural born Marine that’s got some skating skills. That’s why he’s out here right now,” McDonough said.

McDonough plans to take the flag with him when he returns to Afghanistan in a couple weeks. It will be flown at one of the forward operating bases where Camp Lejeune Marines with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Regiment, are stationed.

Over the course of the season, Gleason also hosts Wounded Veterans at the Hurricanes Home games.

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Get gesture however, writing names on the American flag just isnt respectful. It is the same thing as someone taking down the flag and not folding it up properly. At our timeshare I have seen them take the flag down. They just wad it up in a ball and throw it on the ground and then they take the North Carolina flag down and wad that one up too. Then they take them inside like two used dirty towels.

superman
March 19, 2010 5:46 p.m.

I think it's a beautiful gesture.

I also think it's great of him to work with wounded Veterans.

sunneyone
March 19, 2010 12:37 p.m.

I can understand the athletes not having this knowledge, but the U S Marines surprised me. Perhaps we should all take a few minutes and review the rules for display and use of the American Flag.

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 36, CHAPTER 10, §176. Respect for flag (g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature. http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

Myra
March 19, 2010 9:46 a.m.

I find it slightly more difficult to hate the Hurricanes after reading this.

mistersinister
March 19, 2010 9:45 a.m.

I think it was a well founded gesture, but what was he thinking when they wrote on the U. S. flag. As a veteran I feel they should have put a little more thought into it. The Marines accepted the flag, but should have refused it outside the glare of the cameras to save face.

weasel2
March 19, 2010 9:17 a.m.