Military Loans - Military Wife, Columnist Causes Controversy...

Military Loans -
Military Wife, Columnist Causes Controversy...

She wrote, when I agreed to the hat picture, it was in no way meant to disgrace the uniform.In her column, Smiley also pointed out that girls wearing officers' covers is somewhat of a tradition.At the United States Naval Academy (of which Smiley's husband is a '97 graduate) there is a custom of midshipmen receiving a kiss from any girl who puts on their hat.At the end of the January 13th column, Smiley invited her readers to sound-off about the hat and vote at her website (www.SarahSmiley.com) as to whether or not the hat picture should stay.
Smiley received a surprising influx of feedback and response from readers all over the country, even some not in her circulation areas.People in her community began shouting "keep the hat!" to her from across restaurants and out in public.More than 95% of the responses were in favor of the hat picture. But it was during this surge of attention when Smiley received a message from a reader containing the contents of USC 10.This was no longer a philosophical debate for her fans...it was a matter of the law.News of the "Hat Controversy" quickly circled the country in email chains, on message boards and in news reports."For many," says Smiley, "my hat picture became something more than just an issue of law.It became very personal for some as the two sides see the photo as a symbol of something they strongly believe in.My critics don't think it's 'right' for someone -- even a spouse -- to put on a piece of the uniform service members earn.My supporters (most of whom are servicemen, interestingly), however, think not only should it be legal for their spouse to affectionately wear the hat for a photo, after all they sacrifice and all they do as military spouse, it should be their privilege."Smiley states no one is arguing the law.She agrees it is never appropriate for anyone to impersonate an officer or disgrace the service