Above: Flags suspended between raised ladders on fire trucks.
Below: Home made tribute at an overpass [spelling error is forgiven]
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.
You might actually open at least one person's eyes.
That may be true for the teens but...McDonalds should have sent out a directive. What in the H___ is wrong with them?
We and our neighbors all lowered ours and they will stay that way until President Reagan is put to rest on the hillside at his library. I believe Gov buildings and the like will leave theirs up for one month. I may be wrong. Anybody out there know?
Your zeal is admirable, but actually, I am not sure that there is any obligation for private individuals or businesses to fly the flag at half mast, even after a Presidential proclamation. Personally I am not sure I'd care to fly my American flag at half mast for, say, Clinton, even though he is a former President.
Here's the rule. It seems to apply to "federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels." I imagine it would apply to the state buildings, etc., once there's a State proclamation.
"The flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president. It is to fly 10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the speaker of the House of Representatives. For an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, or the minority leader of the House of Representatives the flag is to be displayed at half-staff from the day of death until interment."
http://www1.va.gov/pubaff/celebAm/halfstaf.htm
Proud to say my company already had it's flags at half mast when I came into work this morning.
It also occurred to me I might NOT want to fly my flag at half mast for Tom Daschle, although the rule I quoted says you have to do that "from the day of death until interment" after the death of the Senate minority leader. Ditto for the House minority leader. How many freepers want to so honor Nancy Pelosi????
I don't think it is an issue of obligation or not. It doesn't matter. If you call them it means that other's who are not calling are noticing too. If an area becomes nearly saturated with lowered flags, then the remaining are going to comply or the cheese stands alone. Then people WILL notice.
When Clinton or Carter dies, I'm sure that most of these businesses will get calls from the libs to do the same.
Flag Etiquette
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
I actually called a local company this morning to order a flagpole for our front yard (JUST so I could fly the flag at half staff for President Reagan), and the man apologized that he couldn't get out today because he'd gotten calls from about 35 businesses, all wanting him to come lower the flag for them. He said he explained that there's nothing to it, but they all insisted they'd rather pay him to do it for them. Go figure.
And this might cheer you up...the installer's most popular residential pole was sold out before Memorial Day and is on backorder, so more folks (in OKC at least) must be flying the flag. :)
Hey those screen shots.....are they on an FR thread somewhere? I was working and freepin' all day.
I emailed suggestions to all of our local media that in their coverage of ways people are honoring Reagan that they might also mention that it is not only proclaimed by the President (GWB) but that US Flag Code (as well as this site you linked) also states the 30 day lowering of the flag to half-mast...and perhaps they might cover it as many places are not lowering the flag. We'll see...!
Way to go !!!At the last company I worked for, I was the one that approached my boss about getting flag poles installed.
It was right after the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986. I talked to my boss, who was the Exec VP of our little company and he was all for it. I was Purchasing Manager for our company and contacted some vendors, got bids and got them installed within 10 days or so.
After we had them installed, I held the key to the Flag Poles and always made sure our flags went half staff at the appropriate times .....
In Rhode Island yesterday, Providence City Hall did not lower their flag. Even though you can see the Capitol in the same distance, that did. City Hall also made sure that the Gay Flag, (which has been flying for awhile) was flying right next to it. I don't know if it has come down yet or not, but it was quite the talk of the The Independent Man's radio show today.
These guys don't seem to be getting the message, I called earlier, they have a pretty big flag too
Pepperwood Public Golf Course
647 W Baseline Rd
Tempe, AZ 85283
Phone: (480)831-9457Fax: (480)839-4712
Key word there.
Fabulous work. Good for you!
Great! This is what I like about Freepers - each sees a need and does his part as he sees it. All added together, we become a powerful force and paint a beautiful picture of patriotism. May we always act with such class.
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