Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene faced criticism on Memorial Day after sending out a message on Twitter that contained an erroneous version of the U.S. flag.
Greene's tweet displayed a flag with only 18 stars, drawing attention from critics and monitoring platforms such as PatriotTakes.
While the flag error garnered immediate attention, it also fueled discussions about Greene's past actions and comments, including her vote against legislation to expand federal aid for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
You can see Greene's tweet below.
\u201cOn this solemn day, we honor the fallen soldiers who defended our nation\u2019s values.\n\nTheir sacrifice serves as a powerful reminder that freedom is never free.\n\nLet\u2019s stand united in gratitude and remembrance. #MemorialDay #NeverForget\u201d— Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685367825
Shortly afterward, PatriotTakes, which monitors right-wing media, questioned whether Greene had posted an 18-star flag aa a reference to her calls for red states to secede from the United States, a process she has referred to as a "national divorce."
You can see their tweet below.
\u201cWhy only 18 stars? Is this a national divorce thing?\u201d— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685411158
Observers quickly pointed out that there has never been an official U.S. flag with precisely 18 stars. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the flag featured 15 stars and 15 stripes.
As the nation grew and more states were admitted to the Union, the flag design evolved. By 1818, there were 20 stars and 13 stripes on the flag, representing the growing number of states.
The appearance of an 18-star flag is an uncommon occurrence, often created later to commemorate the admission of specific states, such as Louisiana, which became the 18th state to join the Union.
Greene's post is all the more egregious because she has voted against legislation to expand federal aid for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, has said joining the military is akin to "throwing your life away," and aligned herself with the insurrectionists who attacked the United States Capitol on January 6.
Many have mocked Greene for her post and pointed out her blatant hypocrisy.
\u201c@mtgreenee Platitudes are fun. You voted against our living soldiers. Turn your back on them, eh?\n\nMTG, you have no business working "For the People." You don't, you can't. \n\nGive back the $183K PPP, not loan, you never needed, meant for struggling small businesses.\u201d— Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685367825
\u201c@patriottakes Poor mtg can't count\u201d— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685411158
\u201c@mtgreenee Says the woman who voted for cutting 22% of veterans benefits money in an already underfunded medical system.\u201d— Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685367825
\u201c@mtgreenee Actually, they weren't defending "values." They were defending rights. The same ones you are trying to take away.\u201d— Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685367825
\u201c@mtgreenee Honoring fallen soldiers? \nAren't you with Trump?? \nTrump doesn't like soldiers that have fallen...remember? \nHe was the ONLY president that did not lay flowers on the graves of our fallen soldiers.\u201d— Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685367825
\u201c@mtgreenee This means absolutely nothing coming from you.\u201d— Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685367825
\u201c@mtgreenee So, let me get this straight? You only want to honor veterans who died for the country. Because you are proposing cuts to Veterans\u2019 benefits and care. @votevets\u201d— Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685367825
This isn't the first time Greene has made an error while "honoring" United States veterans.
Last year, she was swiftly fact checked after she claimed that the United States only designates one day to honor military members who have died while in service to the country.
Greene said that "millions in spending through corporations and our government on LGBTQ sexual identity needs to end," suggesting that Pride Month, the observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements, is superfluous in comparison.
Greene's critics were quck to point out that she was wrong to suggest that the military only gets one day.
In fact, May is Military Appreciation Month, culiminating in Memorial Day, a national day of mourning to honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
As USO.org, the nonprofit-charitable corporation that provides live entertainment, such as comedians, actors and musicians, social facilities, and other programs to members of the armed forces and their families, points out:
"Although the entire month is designated to honoring past and present military members and their families, there are several, specific military holidays sprinkled throughout Military Appreciation Month itself, including Loyalty Day, VE Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day."
Additionally, June 6, known as D-Day, commemorates the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II.
Veterans Day, which occurs on November 11 every year, is also a federal holiday for honoring military veterans.
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