As the passing of James Gandolfini continues to shake New Jersey to its knees, one question comes to mind. Should Governor Christie lower the flags in his honor?

Should Flags Fly at Half-staff for James Gandolfini?
Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
loading...

I raised the question on my New Jersey 101.5 show Wednesday night when we broke the news to our listeners and the reaction was in favor. Now I understand those that say the flag should only be lowered for those who died serving their country and I have no argument with that, but since the flag was lowered for Clarence Clemons and Whitney Houston, it seems that the line has moved. I definitely see Gandofini  on the right side of that line.

This Westwood native and Rutgers graduate not only created a television icon based in New Jersey but went on to produce 2 documentaries dealing with our troops.

In 2007, Gandolfini produced a documentary with HBO focused on injured Iraq War veterans and their devotion to America, while surveying the physical and emotional costs of war. Ten surviving soldiers were interviewed by Gandolfini, who revealed their thoughts on the challenges they face integrating back into society and family life. They also reflected on the memories of the day when they narrowly escaped death, and what life may have been like in other circumstances.

In 2010, Gandolfini produced another documentary with HBO, which analyzed the effects ofposttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) throughout American history, from 1861 to 2010. It featured interviews with American military officials on their views of PTSD and how they are trying to help soldiers affected by it. Letters from soldiers of the American Civil War and World War I who were affected by PTSD are examined, along with interviews with soldiers affected by PTSD and their families.

If you’re talking about New Jersey icons, you have to include Gandolfini, who was taken way too soon. The question is, Is this Jersey icon worthy of having the flag lowered in his honor? What do you think? Please take our poll below.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM