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I was driving home from work and I noticed at a hotel two blocks from my home is flying a ripped and torn American and Texas flag. I decided to stop and and give the receptionist a head's up. I walked in and was greeted by an empty desk so I rang the service bell. After about 2 minutes of waiting a lady came and asked "can I help you?" I replied with "yes ma'am, I just wanted to let you know that you are flying an American and Texas flag and they are both ripped and torn" and she quickly answered with a slight attitude "chyeah?" so I said "would you please inform your management that the flags are ripped and have them replaced?" and with an even bigger attitude she said "well, there are plenty American flags that are torn... why does it matter?" she seemed and responded as if I was attacking her personally so I made sure my response (though heated [just because everybody jumps off a bridge...]) was polite and I replied "yes ma'am, that is the case, however, I am telling you that your flags are being flown torn and ripped." and without a skip she said "so?!" "so you are flying an American and Texas flag torn and that is disrespectful to the men and women who sacrificed so much and even more so... it's disrespectful to America." I think she got the picture and told me "okay, I will let the owner know" and I looked at her square in the eye and genuinely said "thank you, ma'am."

I felt like she thought I was attacking her personally and that's why she had such defensive responses. Also, I honestly believe that this woman did not understand or care for the importance of our flag. I really hope that she informs her owner and that the problem is corrected yesterday.

__________________________

United States Code: Title 4: §8 (k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

USC T4 §8 (j) ...The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing....

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-201 ... 1-sec8.pdf

<rant> end </rant>

you should have taken them down your self

You handled it with class and grace....hopefully the message will be passed on and the flags will actually be taken down and replaced.

barstoolguru wrote:you should have taken them down your self

I went over to the flag poles and they had lock boxes over the cleats.

Glad I am not the only one who is picky about that....

I would notify the local VFW and ask them what to do. I am sure they are a a source that will get something done

erick619 wrote:

barstoolguru wrote:you should have taken them down your self

I went over to the flag poles and they had lock boxes over the cleats.

If you're in Dallas, PM me when you see that situation. Just no flagpoles much over 40'.

If a nat'l chain, call it's headquarters. Otherwise, call local flagpole/flag company and have its salesman make a hotel call.

ninemm wrote:

erick619 wrote:

barstoolguru wrote:you should have taken them down your self

I went over to the flag poles and they had lock boxes over the cleats.

If you're in Dallas, PM me when you see that situation. Just no flagpoles much over 40'.

Team player of the week!

You are, of course, correct. However, the only thing I would have done differently is that I would have asked them to replace them as soon as they could for the same reasons you gave them instead of "telling" them. IMHO, that came off wrong to them/her and she instantly resisted whatever you were telling her whether or not she might have originally agreed with you or not.

I probably would have been met with the same resistance, but who knows?

My oldest daughter (now 20) has been very patriotic from a very young age thanks to my dad. She was in NJROTC in high school and served as the Color Guard Commander her senior year. She is a Flag geek! She has had us stop at daycares when driving by - they were closed, so she turned the upside down Texas Flag and put it below the American Flag as it should be. She has also had us stop to inform many businesses that their flags were incorrect, torn, etc. Most have responded confused, but positively after she explained why it was so important. Makes me proud! Her Grandpa would be thrilled!

the Texas flag is allowed to be flown at the same height as the US flag, but on a single pole it should be flown under but it is not required to be. btw this is the ONLY flag in the US that is allowed to fly in this manner

JP171 wrote:the Texas flag is allowed to be flown at the same height as the US flag, but on a single pole it should be flown under but it is not required to be. btw this is the ONLY flag in the US that is allowed to fly in this manner

This is a myth I first heard from a boat pilot in San Antonio. The USC states:

4 USC §7 wrote:(f) When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's right.

Any other flag may be flown at the same height as the US flag, as long as the US flag is on its right, which is considered a higher position for equal-height flags.

ninemm wrote:

erick619 wrote:

barstoolguru wrote:you should have taken them down your self

I went over to the flag poles and they had lock boxes over the cleats.

If you're in Dallas, PM me when you see that situation. Just no flagpoles much over 40'.

that is awesome! I'll definitely let you know!

C-dub wrote:You are, of course, correct. However, the only thing I would have done differently is that I would have asked them to replace them as soon as they could for the same reasons you gave them instead of "telling" them. IMHO, that came off wrong to them/her and she instantly resisted whatever you were telling her whether or not she might have originally agreed with you or not.

I probably would have been met with the same resistance, but who knows?

thanks for the input. I tried to just 'inform' her and really, I was expecting an "oh, thanks, we'll get on that asap." I can see where she is coming from, but I think that her "so" remark made me upset.