Is it just me?

end of story!

If I was there I would gladly go with you Steve and help take care of the flags. Last year I was in one of the local big box stores checking out when a veteran of WWII walked up and said to the checker " It is a shame that this store hangs a flag in that condition ". I looked at him and he pointed above the checkstand. There hanging from the ceiling was an american flag that was covered in dust and wrinkles. I asked where to find the manager and I complained about it. She said it would be taken care of. The following week I was back in the same store and the first thing I checked on was that flag. It was in the same shape as when I complained. I again went to the store manager and was told that they didn’t have the time to take care of every complaint made by customers. I went home and sent an email to store headquarters and after what seemed like another week the flag was removed and a new one put in it’s place. I keep an eye on that flag when ever I am in that store and so far it has been kept clean.

Rocky

Right on Rocky!

I get pretty uptight on the subject of our flag. We fly one here at the house always and two on our main page ever since 9-11. My next door neighbor had one of the usual sized flags many folks get at the hardware store, the one that mounts at about a 45 degree angle from the front of the house. Well, it was really getting ‘ratty.’ I bought a new one and switched one day when they were not home. Actually, I don’t think anyone there ever noticed; but we did. :slight_smile:

Right on James!

If you drop an email to the HD home office, I’d bet you’d be suprised at how fast they will jump through their A$$ to get it fixed! I’ve seen a lot of the same thing myself, but usually a quick word brings the desired result. Nothing pisses me off more than the “it’s not my job” person…

Before you get all over the HD employees, you might want to talk to the rank and file people and learn just what the “real deal” is in the stores. I have friends who work there and the other big box store, and they are positive & upbeat people with good hearts and strong patriotism. The management system soon beats them into a “not my job” attitude, so it’s not surprising they have the attitudes that they do. The “MARGIN” is all that is important, and I’m sure the store manager is beaten with an even larger stick from corporate to keep the numbers up. It’s the beast we call RETAIL, and he’s not pretty. I’m sure the store manager was also beaten for allowing the wind to tear up a flag to the point of needing replacement. Sure makes me want to go get a job there…NOT!

You’re a good man Steve. It’s not the cloth but what it represents. People just have little connection to values these days. Apathy is rampant.

I’d have just quietly done it myself. And it wouldn’t have been the first time.

Stopped at a rest stop in Missouri a couple months ago. The flag there had come unhooked on the bottom edge of the flag at the top of the really tall flag pole. Two big guys on Harleys stopped and saw it about the same time. No one called the state. No one bothered the cleaning staff. The flag was lowered, re attached, and raised, in a most respectful manner. Everyone shook hands, smiled, and went on their way.

Sometimes, if you want something done right, you gotta step up and do it yourself.

After having dealt with Wal-Mart on some business delaings I can tell you…I wonder just how these big outfits survive! Their employees are the least self-motivated people I have ever met.

We had a door leak in one of the stores, a door that the public used. Every time it rained the door leaked a big puddle into the store. It took them 2 YEARS to fix the leak!!

They went without a department manager for like 9 months. This affected my income for that department so I negotiated a rent decrease from the District Manager for the same time period(9 months). They came back 3 months into it asking for back rent or they’d sic the Wal-Mart legal team in me in…15 days!!
I walked out and left them hanging high and dry at that moment!!

If it weren’t for their ability to buy items at drastically low cost(due to volume) these places would be out of business in no time flat. I hate to into Home Depot any more because the help seems to hide from you. Funny, when they first opened up they had knowledgeable help in every department. Now there isn’t even an un-knowledgeable person :wink:

I wonder how many of us that fly flags know that if they are flown at night they should be lighted?

Sorry this is so long …but in case anyone is interested…

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:
[ul]
[li]The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.[/li][li]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.[/li][li]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[/li][li]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.[/li][li]The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.[/li][li]The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.[/ul] 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. [/li]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.
Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire about the availability of this service.

Displaying the Flag Outdoors When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag’s union should be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
…The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
…No other flag ever should be placed above it.
…The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

Raising and Lowering the Flag The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

Displaying the Flag Indoors When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag’s union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag’s own right, and to the observer’s left.

Parading and Saluting the Flag When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.

The SaluteTo salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

The Flag in Mourning To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.
The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.
When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

Thanks ducksterman, as a lifelong scouter with the BSA and an American I applaud you and everyone else concerned for this.

[QUOTE=ducksterman;271805]I wonder how many of us that fly flags know that if they are flown at night they should be lighted?

Sorry this is so long …but in case anyone is interested…

Flag Etiquette

Excellent! Thank you!

Our flag mounts from the center of the front of the garage, facing the street. On each side is a coach lantern set on automatic. If anyone gets near, the lights come on, lighting the flag. :slight_smile:

It is “not my job” of every American to take care of the flag. Rather it is the duty of every American to take care of the flag. All any of these cowards had to do was politely tell you, “Mr Molcson, please wait while I get a manger for you.”. THAT IS THEIR JOB!

If the excuse of management might brow beat me holds true then I don’t have to ship the freight to your soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines because it needs blocked and braced. That really is not in my job description so who cares if they get maimed, killed or taken prisoner because I did not want to do something management tells me is “not my job”. [i][b]I DO IT BECAUSE I CARE!

[/b][/i]As a former retail general manager with many years of experience I can tell that I personally took great pleasure in making the “it’s not my job” types absolutely miserable. Hum, you know perhaps that is why my stores were always ranked in the top two positions company wide for sales and profitability year after year out of over 300 stores company wide.

Steve, I will hold the ladder and your jacket for you, Sir!

Just lurking in , nice to see the old site and play catch up.

Be safe