McCarran Airport's Uniforms, Buttons Don't Represent USA?
By Steve William Sanson


A veteran is expressing outrage at pro-military symbols on uniforms worn by McCarran International Airport employees, because the patriotism is Scottish not American.

Senior Master Sergeant Lombardo retired from the US Air Force after serving honorably for over 22 years.

Lombardo has observed that for years some workers at McCarran have been wearing buttons with emblems he considers inappropriate.

Customer Information Service Representatives in Terminal Operations at McCarran wear red blazer with gold-tone buttons with designs on them, along with aviation-themed emblems sewn on the breasts of the jackets.

The symbol on the buttons, surprisingly, represents the military Fighting - Scotland's and not the USA's, according to Lombardo.

The retired veteran points out that the symbols stand for the active military fighting force in Scotland with its motto "Ne Obliviscaris" which means "Do Not Forget."

Responding to a voicemail message, McCarran's Assistant Director for Terminal Operations Ralph LePore had the airport's Public Information Administrator Chris Jones call. When asked about the button, Jones said "No Comment."

McCarran's Director of Aviation Randy Walker was reported to be on vacation when called. An e-mail was sent to Clark County Manager Virginia Valentine and Rory Reid, the chair of the Clark County Board of Commissioners.

Valentine responded and said that she is unfamiliar with the issue. Lombardo however disputes that and showed a copy of a letter dated February 2nd that he says was sent to Valentine explaining the issue in detail.

Research on the Argyll and Southern Highlanders a Scotland Military Regiment, reveals a long, colorful history:

"{As a result of the wide-ranging Cardwell reforms of the British Army the 91st and 93rd were merged in 1881. The 91st became the 1st Battalion and the 93rd the 2nd Battalion."

"Territorial regrouping gave Sutherland to the Sea-forth as their recruiting area. The counties allotted to The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were Argyllshire, Stirling, Clackmannan, Dumbarton, Renfrew and Kinross. Significantly, the recruiting area remains the same today. Stirling Castle became the Depot and the home of the Regiment."

Some people may say that is just a button and poses no problems because, of course, we are not at war with Scotland, one of our allies. Lombardo believes that if a person has not served in the United States military, nor has had family members serve or die for our countries freedoms, it may be hard to have a concept about the importance of a "simple button."

To those who serve and to the family and friends to those who serve, it is not just a button. With the nation at war, Lombardo and others express that this should not be taken in a nonchalant manner.

The US military has a long tradition that goes back to the early freedoms from the British in 1776. There is a long list of US military logos and mottos, for example "Semper Fidelis," the United States Marine Corps motto for "Always Faithful."

Lombardo has concerns, and the matter raises some questions: If someone approached airport personnel and told them a particular item represents discrimination, the airport would likely remove it from their property, but why not this?

Why would a US International Airport continue to represent another country's military fighting force when the US military need support at this time?

It could be that McCarran Airport management knew nothing about the Scottish origin of the button images. It could have been an honest mistake by, perhaps, buying a nice blazer from a uniform catalog or a manufacturer that buys insignia-type accessories.

Perhaps, the people of Scotland are happy the Americans would want to represent and honor them at a US International Airport. It may be a good thing to support other troops in other countries, but many would feel that we should support our own first, which is what Lombardo believes.

E-mail: SteveWSanson@cs.com phone 702 283 8088
Website: www.VeteransInPolitics.com.