Posted on 06/07/2004 3:03:14 PM PDT by HighWheeler
As I was driving today on business, I noticed more than half of the American flags were still at flying at full staff. So I started jotting down these company’s names as I drove. I had a list of 26 in about 20 minutes. The other sad thing I noticed was how few places are flying Old Glory anymore. Over the weekend, I had put her back up at my house 5 minutes after I had heard Ronald Reagan had died.
So now I had this pile of offender’s names written down, so when I got to a computer at lunchtime, I started looking up and collecting the phone numbers. Then I started dialing up to ask them why they were not flying their flags at half-staff. All were somewhat shocked at the call. Some responses were unbelievable. I will highlight only a few.
First Call:
The first call was to a local city that had flags in a park flying full staff. The city’s operator was very nice and seemed almost embarrassed that the flags were still not lowered. She said she would get right on it and notify the proper people. Sure enough, in less than 45 minutes when I drove by again, the flags were flying properly.
I called one small business and it went like this:
HW: “I drove by your business this morning and I am calling to ask why your flag in front is not flying at half staff.”
Operator: Uh, I don’t know. Is there someone you would like speak with?
HW: Well, the American flag is supposed to be at half-staff.
Operator: “I don’t know why it’s not at half-staff.”
HW: (approaching a Hannity Man-on-the-Street moment) “Do you know why the flags are supposed to be at half staff?”
Operator: “Uhh,….It’s because of …..uhhhh, because the…..Uh…..< quietly> I don’t know.”
HW: “President Reagan died this weekend and it’s the way American honors the death of our Presidents.”
Operator: “I’ll tell them right away, is there anything else?
HW: “No thanks, you have a good day.”
The call to McDonalds:
HW: “I drove by a few of your businesses this morning and I am calling to ask why these stores are not flying the American flags at half staff.”
McD: “Uh, < long pause> There hasn’t been a directive put out.”
HW: “Oh, so are those stores are just out-of-touch?”
McD < half terse and mildly condescending>: “Well I don’t think so.”
HW: “So, they are doing this intentionally.”
McD: < really irritated> “I didn’t say that.”
HW: “Well, it’s one or the other. Either they are out of touch with America, or, if they're not out of touch as you claim, then they're doing it intentionally.”
McD: < much, much softer> “Uh, who are you?”
HW: “I am a customer.”
McD: “Would you like to speak to someone?”
HW: “No. Why don’t you carry the water for me on this one, OK?”
At the end of the day, every single one of the McDonald’s flags I saw were flying at half staff.
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Well the others were not as much fun, but obviously none of these businesses were aware of the flag etiquette, but all were aware that Ronald Reagan had died. After I drove home back the same way, I saw almost 100% compliance. Only 2 were still not lowered.
This is one of those feel-good, FReepin’ moments.
Good Work!
We need to educate people. They simply don't know.
Some very simple flag rules:
http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?c=xds&terms=flag
ping
Hey thanks for posting the rules!
Here's a better link:
http://www.scouting.org/media/flag/index.html
Yesterday, she phoned McDonald's and chewed out the ignorant little managerette. Then she faxed a letter-to-editor of the local paper listing the other offenders around town. (should be in tomorrow's paper)
Today I went into Arby's and asked the little twerp manager why his flag was still at full mast. "I've been on vacation", was his lame excuse. Obviously, he didn't have a clue why the flag should have been lowered - I had to explain it to him. (But then that explains why he was working at a fast-food restaurant.)
Then I stopped at Centura Bank and got the same lame excuse when I told them that they were the only business in town with their flag flying at full staff. "Our manager has been on vacation".
How did these kids reach adulthood, anyway?
ping
All I can say is it's a great day for God because it's morning in heaven. If the Big Guy ever needed help running the place he has it now.
I will join you in this.
I was in our little town this afternoon and noticed that a bank still had the flag at full staff. I stopped and politely asked them if this was their flag and why it was not at half staff. They scurried right out to fix it.
I was glad I stopped.
Sounds like your experience and mine were just about the same. Why is McDonald'd so full of clowns?
I did that at a McDonald's just today!
I was driving by and had no plans to go there, but I noticed the flag and drove through to tell them to lower it. As I drove away, someone was heading to the flagpole!
BTTT
ping
Excellent. You made a difference!
Thanks you for the grand idea.
ping
BTTT
McDonalds is run primarily by teens. Teens tend to not pay close attention to the news.
Thanks, it made for a very interesting day.
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