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.
-----------------------
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.
ping
It's not McDonalds, but corporate culture in general. The people who actually CAN change the flags have absolutely no power to do so. And the people with the power to order that sort of thing are off playing golf or in their office playing solitaire or god knows what. God forbid that any of these employees think for themselves. The ones who are liable to do something independent like that aren't the type who look for work at McDonalds.
By the way, Pres. Bush has designated that flags stay at half-staff for one month, not just this week. While watching the touching scene of Californians of all types coming to pay their respects to the president, I was sad to see some men who did not remove their hats. I guess we just don't know common courtesy. However, I was heartened to see how many, many young people were there, particularly young men. That was lovely and gives one hope for the future.
Are the people you hire to run your stores and your corporate offices so ignorant that they don't know to lower the American flag out front when a President dies?Apparently not, since McDonald's stores around the country have been noted to have failed to offer this common courtesty as a sign of respect for the office and the man.
In my case, I had to call the manager of the Brevard store, who had absolutely no idea why the flag should have been lowered.
I guess the type of people you hire need instructions from Corporate Headquarters to perform this most simple sign of respect.
Instructions which never came.
You're all a bunch of unpatriotic losers.
Thanks for the info. I see guys wearing hats in all types of places. Here is a great story:
"General William Tecumseh Sherman died in New York in 1891 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. One story of his death is worth re-telling: Joe Johnston, the Confederate general whom Sherman had bedeviled through both Georgia and South Carolina, served as a pallbearer at Shermans funeral. It was a bitter cold February day. A friend encouraged Johnston to don a hat, "General, please put on a hat. You might get sick." Johnston replied, "If I were in his place, and he were standing in mine, he would not put on his hat." Johnston caught a severe cold, and soon it was his funeral. So ended the lives of two Civil War adversaries."
ML/NJ
We are blessed to live in a Nation, and a world, that have been shaped by the will, the leadership, and the vision of Ronald Reagan.
With an unshakable faith in the values of our country and the character of our people, Ronald Reagan renewed America's confidence and restored our Nation. His optimism, strength, and humility epitomized the American spirit. He always told us that for America the best was yet to come.
Ronald Reagan believed that God takes the side of justice and that America has a special calling to oppose tyranny and defend freedom. Through his courage and determination, he enhanced America's security and advanced the spread of peace, liberty, and democracy to millions of people who had lived in darkness and oppression. As America's President, Ronald Reagan helped change the world.
President Reagan has left us, but he has left us stronger and better. We take comfort in the knowledge that he has left us for a better place, the shining city that awaits him.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of Ronald Reagan, and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all buildings, grounds, and Naval vessels of the United States for a period of 30 days from the day of his death. I also direct that for the same length of time, the representatives of the United States in foreign countries shall make similar arrange-ments for the display of the flag at half-staff over their Embassies, Legations, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and stations.
I hereby order that suitable honors be rendered by units of the Armed Forces under orders of the Secretary of Defense.
I do further appoint Friday, June 11, 2004, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States. I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President Reagan. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Aren't McDonald's franchises? So individual stores don't have day to day mgmt from corporate offices.
This is how it is supposed to be for every President.
ML/NJ
So I need to look up the franchisee and flame him good, then.
You will be pleased to know that the flag at the Warner Bros studio in Burbank - Ronald Reagan's home for many years - was at half-staff this morning, without anyone needing to be reminded. Lt. Reagan's name is also on the great bronze plaque commemorating Warners employees in uniform during WWII, located back by the commissary.
Good job!!
By way for everyone out there. The proper way to do is to take the flag to full mast, then lower it to half.
Make sure the other flags around it are lowered as well. I have seen a few of those as well. I figure they are at least trying.
I am proud to say the company I work for, FedEx, had the flag at half-staff this morning. Thank you, Fred Smith.
thanks, I'm glad to hear that the people who worked with him are honoring him properly.
Thank you for posting this. I missed it earlier.
Forthe most part that is true. Individual owners would have to make that decision.
The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President;See 36 USC 175(m).
ML/NJ
I hate to seem dense but at home do we just fly the flag regularly, that is, it is not able to be lowered?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.