Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I appreciate the city of Andalusia for giving this fine soldier the honor and respect he deserves. .

Posted by scobb (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Covington County and surrounding areas, please show your support for this family and the sacrifice that they and SGT Gordon made for us and his country. Please make sure your offices and home flags are lowered to half mast today, and that you remember the family in their time of need. With so much happening in our lives, let us stop to remember this young man who sacrificed everything so that you didn't have to. Please stay tuned to WAAO as Mr. Wilson is in the plannig process of a line of citizens to show their support for David and his family. Also, thank you to Covington County Administration for asking all area flags be lowered.

Posted by Blondie (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There are no words that can describe what this family is going thru at this time, but the respect and honor of us, the public can show them that we appreciate their son, and all the others out there that serve for us!

God Bless this family, and monica, I know you may not remember me by name, but my heart goes out to you my long time friend!

Susan

Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There's a wonderful memory of David from his friend Tony Pate about going to David's house in the backyard to play GI Joe's with David.
This is on the Starnews Obituary.
We give our best prayers for this young man and his family.
God be with you.

Posted by Quaker (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sure Sgt. Gordon was a fine soldier and his death is tragic but I believe that the flag should be flown at half mast for only combat related deaths. Besides, the President or the Governor of the state have to authorize the flying of the flag at half mast.

Posted by tamihamm2005 (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that the Wachovia bank is ANTI-AMERCIAN is is nothing more than an Obama lover. Maybe the founder of the bank and Obama should get a hotel together. We have a young man who died fighting for this country which is what he loved to do and Wachovia back does not have the respect that a blood borne American would have. They have refused to lower there flag to honor this young man and this is not the first time that I have noticed that they have not lowered their flag to half staff. I will NEVER bank at a bank that is nothing but an Obama lover and a ANTI-AMERCIAN

Posted by patwilliam (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We put tamihamm! It shouldn't matter that this young man died from a illness that he contracted, he was IN A COMBAT SITUATION! People, please show some respect! Wachovia Bank is nothing but a JOKE anyways...I will never bank with that bank again! I did in previous years, but due to some other circumstances have been away from them for several years...I commend this solder and will fly my flag in my yard at half mast in his honor! I am a US citizen and I have a right, I don't need permission for O-freakin Bama! God Bless Sgt. David Gordon and I thank you for your service to our country, and my deepest sympathies and prayers go out for his family in this their time of need....

Posted by scobb (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If I'm not mistaken, the flag outside of Wachovia on the corner of the road (which I assume is the one you all are talking about) is a CITY flag...meaning the City of Andalusia....not Wachovia.

As for the person that basically said David doesn't deserve the respect of the flag being flown at half mast..you are dispicable. This young man died while serving in the U.S. Army. He may not have died IN Afghanistan, however, he did die from something he contracted WHILE he was there, serving his country. Show some respect to him and his family...they have earned it.

Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EVERY 'Elected Official' within the boundries of of Covington County, Alabama should better BE at this young Covington County's Soilder's Memorial service. A 'soldier' that lost in his life in the Afganistan's Conflict is having a service at his hometown high school stadium. Without our brave military, and it's soldier's just like Sgt. Gordon, you would not have the authority to decide where you spend your 'multi-million dollar budgets each year'. Be at this young man's service and 'show' community support.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Quackur probably lowered his flag when Ted Kennedy died.

Posted by AndalusiaWatcher (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

With friendship and my kindest regards I'd like to suggest an alternative for Saturday's Memorial Service. Andalusia's
Veteran Memorial Park at City Hall, Andalusia Square at the Covington County Courthouse steps, or Bullard's arena. Many senior citizens would be unable to make the long trek up to Red Level and have to sit where it is designed for school kids and much younger people. A section for Red Level high school could be appropriated to show support for his school and friends as it should be.

Posted by kathystephens (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The last I checked this is still a free country and if I want or anyone else wants to lower their flag they don't need special premission from anyone to do so. As Nikie says JUST DO IT! Anyone who has lost their life protecting this country due to any reason should be shown the RESPECT due to him/her and their family. May God bless and keep you in this time of sorrow.

Posted by patwilliam (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so glad to see the outpour of support for this brave young man. It's good to know that so many people have such kind hearts and are opening them for this young man and his family. Thank God for good people! God bless you Sgt David Gordon and God be with and hold your family close during this hard time.

Posted by kbklc (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The memorial service is being held just were it should be......Right where the family wants it. The Red Level High School Auditorium where David was always at when he was home. I believe Red Level is the most fitting place for the funeral for this great American Hero. If the Senior Citizens want to honor him they can do it at Red Level just as good as they can at Bullards Arena. And I'm sure the Flag of the City's was a simply mistake, it will probably be lowered soon. Maybe a call to the City just to let them know they overlooked that flag would help!. THANKS!

Posted by unknown56 (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

quaker,
I was a friend of David. He most definetly was a outstanding individual. He was the most heartfelt person anyone would ever meet. I see you feel it should be combat related to fly the flag at half staf. well so you know its out of respect, the respect you should have for any American Soilder. He was fighting for you!! The way i look at it was i didnt have the courage to go and fight the war as he did. The least I could do was look after who he asked me to watch over, and honor his death by flying the flag at half staf. I'm sorry you have a negative attitude about this. I personally think if the table was turned and he was a good friend of yours you wouldnt feel that way anyone. im sorry you never had the chance to meet David he was an amazing person. Army was what he always wanted to do. The least you can do for him in his honor is to fly your flag at half staf in rememberence of the life he gave so you could sit on your couch at home and play on your laptop with out worrying.

Mrs. Diane, Charlie, Monica, God Bless yall!

Mrs. Diane you raised two amazing kids. Noone could have ever made such an incerdible impact on my life as David did. you are an amazing women and always have been since ive had the chance to know you. My prayers are with you guys.

Posted by hdsd (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We all feel the same ,except a select few. His actions of his death was from being in combat. One must not just be in direct contact with the enemy. He was deployed within the area of operations, what ever his mission was, he did do the ultimate, that many would not even consider. Sgt. Gordon may god bless you and again thank you for serving our great country and those within covington county. We have been blesed for what you have given up for our freedom. Lets all come out to support him, and for what he stood for.

Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Quak-er (aka - provocator): The Flags flying at half mast today for one of 'our sons' is ironically fortunate.

Today in D.C. at the Capitol is a large gathering of Muslims to pray and chant from loudspeakers as they do in Muslim country's such as the one David Gordon II was deployed to - they will be incanting 'OUR TIME HAS COME!' which will echo throughout the grounds and buildings of our Capitol!

Dear Christians: Today is a day to pray for the Infidels. Please take time out for this opportunity. It is a day for Americans to pray to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, united in heart - singing Hymns of Praise and Thanksgiving to the One True God of which our Nation is under!

WAKE UP AMERICA! The time is very late to wake up and realize how far from our founding Fathers we have become!

In honor of David Gordon's memory and his life of service and duty for his Country and our freedoms, God bless America!

Posted by tiger00 (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We do not need to lose sight of what is truly taking place this weekend. A mother is burying her son. A brother and sister are burying their brother and best friend. Yes, America has lost one of it's finest. Yes, our community should show their support, but this service is not about people who didn't know Srgt. Gordon being comfortable and not having to drive too far. By the way, I believe Red Level is less than 20 miles away and their auditorium chairs are standard, adult size, not seats designed for children.

Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We will be there!

Posted by Ponder (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

God Bless Sgt. Robert David Gordon and family. Thank you for raising a fine young man. We will be praying for all of you.

Posted by aca1508 (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have a few comments to add, being that I have researched the whole "half-staff" controversy. "Half-Mast" is a naval term, so the correct term for the flying of our flag in Andalusia is half-staff. Also, not in support of Quaker's statement, but rather the facts of "Flag Flying" ... it is the president or the governer that have to authorize the flying of the flag at half-staff. The mayor can only authorize the flying of the CITY flag at half-staff.

HOWEVER, In support of David's family and their loss, the reason is seemingly fitting for the flying of all at half-staff regardless of opinons presented, there are those of us who will fully stand by this decision 100%.

I went to school with David and had the extreme pleasure of knowing him personally. Those who did can support my saying "The Army was his dream." He was a strong, caring, and all around amazing individual who loved his family, friends and country with all of his heart. He was very active in school and always willing to lend a helping hand, or assist in putting a smile on someone's face.His contributions were great to those around him. His family suffered a great loss, as well as this community. To deface his name in the way that I have seen on some of these posts is just heart-wrenching.

We have soldiers dying every day in order for us to be able to have our own opinions and thoughts and for that to be taken advantage of shows a terrible disrespect for one's freedom. Quaker? Have you or Are you? Serving in any branch of the U.S. Military? I would dare say if you have that maybe it wasn't in a time of war. Or had you.. did you not learn appreciation for the circumstances our soldiers face on a daily basis? It's blatant disregard for SGT. Gordon and his family for you or any of your supporters to call out any ideations of wrong on a public website. Please leave your condeming thoughts behind at a place where his family and friends can mourn without further loss. It's humilitaing enough that you had the audacity to make a statement like that on a site viewed by almost the entire county but to insult a deceased soldier proves your lack of self respect in a larger manner than anyone could imagine. He stood up on the front lines on your behalf. Defend that.

To the entire Gordon Family: There are those in this community who dearly loved your son, and his accomplishments will not go forgotten. We take pride in knowing that David was such a strong and giving member of society. Thank you for raising such an incredible young man. His impact on the lives he touched is simply amazing.

Posted by ftbraggsoldier (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey quacker dude, your a piece of s**t, i love how u sit here and bring up stuff like that which is completely irrelevant about the flag shouldn't be flown at half mass, who the hell are you to make that call? Long story short, if he wasn't in Afghanistan defending your freedom he'd still be alive, My personal opinion, unless u enlist, or you spend some of your own time overseas fighting, then you can have an opinion on matters as such, but until then, shut the hell up!

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will be there .God Bless and give piece to the family.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

God Bless You ftbraggsoldier!

Posted by hdsd (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FtBraggsolider, thanks. It is easy for them to hide behind the internet and type what they want. But I bet, he would not face them . Sad to say, but this is our America today. As also mentioned allowing the lack of respect for what our great military and our sons, daughters, fathers and mothers are doing for the nation that has not come free, but of those like Sgt. Gordon, with thier lives. But we have to allow the freedom of those that would not do as he has or willing to even join to defend is sicking. Thanks for all that serve, if we did not have such ,that allow fear to be only a word, we are in trouble. Lead by Example and I bet those that Sgt Gordon had any contact with saw such leadership. Again preyers and our blessing to him, and the others that serve . THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM AND WHAT YOU DID FOR US, Sgt. David Gordon, SERVING PROUDLY.

Posted by militarymom (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 1:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

First my deepest sympathy to the family of David Gordon.

It is wonderful to see the majority of commentors are kind, respectful, warm, red blooded Americans. To those who feel differently, until you have a son or daughter that wears the uniform of our Armed Forces and gives their life for our country, you have no idea how hurtful your words can be to a family who has lost so much. Whether they were in "combat" at the time is irrelevent. I wasn't fortunate enough to know this young man but I do know that he gave all that he had for you and you should be ashamed to even consider criticizing his manor of death. I lost my daughter three years ago, she too was fighting for our country and tonight my son left for Iraq so I know firsthand of the extremely difficult time this family is going through. If you can't say something nice, please don't say anything at all. That is just human decency.

God Be With the Gordon family, and God Bless those who are standing up in support for one of Americas finest.

Posted by BamaJarhead (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My condolences to the family of David Gordon. Semper Fidelis!