bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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09-28-11 01:08 PM - Post#139750
Mr Johnson,
My name is BBaker(don't wan't to advertise my whole name here on forums) and I am the Patriotic Instructor with the Ladies Auxiliary Richardson V.F.W. Post 8627.
Below is a letter I sent along with a V.F.W. pamphlet of Flag Etiquette to XXX XXXX of Collin Creek (Plano) on September 21, 2011 after repeatedly calling them about removing and or replacing their (tattered) American Flag. They don’t seem to want to cooperate for some reason. I contacted the Fire Dept. and they were nice enough to offer to help but they refuse the free help and said they had hired a contractor. The tattered flag was still flying on Tuesday 9/28/11 at 5 pm. I tried to take a digital picture of the flag but, it was too windy to get a good shot and I am not familiar with taking video. I understand you were once a POW and this issue might be important to you as a Veteran.
Thank you,
BBaker Ladies Auxiliary V.F.W. Post 8627
Dear Management of XXX XXXX of Collin Creek,
XXX West Plano Parkway
Plano, Tx. 75075
My name is BBaker and I am the Patriotic Instructor with the Ladies Auxiliary representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Post 8627 Richardson, Texas. I am writing this letter in regard to the American flag flying in the entrance to the property facing Plano Parkway. I realize this flag was once beautiful and flying proudly to honor our great country and all the troops and Veterans who fight, have fought and have given their lives to defend and protect it and all Americans and non Americans as well. The thing is, when the Flag of our country is so badly torn, tattered, or soiled as yours is now it is no longer a fitting emblem for display and should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. Mending the Flag would be acceptable but, obviously wouldn’t help in this case. I have called the office twice over the past three weeks and on the second time I was told that a new Flag had arrived but the tattered one couldn’t be taken down due to a problem with the flag pole. I am sure the Fire dept could and would help with this as they did so for our Post. I would be most happy to help with this if you would contact me or our Post so we can put this issue to rest and give our American Flag, Country, Troops, and Veterans the respect they deserve.
Thank you and have a Blessed day,
BBaker xxx-xxx-xxxx
V.F.W. Post 8627 xxx-xxx-xxxx
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civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9251
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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09-28-11 02:07 PM - Post#139757
In response to bbaker
Kudos from one Flag person to another. 
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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09-28-11 03:00 PM - Post#139760
In response to civicminded
Thanks Civic,
I am not giving up on this until they do the right thing. Last week our POW flag was stolen right off of the Flag pole at the Post. We replaced it the next day. Our American Flag has a lock on though.
bbaker
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civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9251
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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09-28-11 04:43 PM - Post#139763
In response to bbaker
We need a lock on lots of things, haha.
I tell businesses to correct their incorrect flags and replace the tattered ones. Even though businesses fly flags for the wrong reasons, sometimes you find a biz that appreciates the input. BTW, we can remind folks to drop off flags at the Flag bin for the VFW.
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1285
Reg: 06-02-07
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09-28-11 10:31 PM - Post#139780
In response to civicminded
I won't eat or shop at a place that fails to fly the flag correctly.
I have called the owner of the area Chick Fila stores several times and while my kids like to eat there they know not to ask any longer.
You can fly "your" flag how ever you please but I won't trade with you if you can't be bothered to do it right.
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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Edited by Brewer on 09-28-11 10:31 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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09-28-11 11:52 PM - Post#139784
In response to Brewer
Brewer,
You are so right. I have been respectfully trying to get this complex to replace or take down their flag for over a month now and for some reason they just won't do it. I am very angry about it now because I have resorted to writing our Congressman (should never have come to this). I went by today 9/28 at 5 pm and it is still tattered and up. If I don't hear from Sam Johnson by 9:00 tomorrow, I will go forword with news, FOX4, WFAA or whoever will listen.
bbaker
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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10-01-11 07:39 PM - Post#139963
In response to bbaker
They know legally we can't do anything so the worn out tattered American Flag is still flying as of today 10/01/11 SHAME ON THEM!!!  .  
bbaker
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civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9251
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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10-01-11 10:08 PM - Post#139968
In response to bbaker
Perhaps we can get a local donor or Scout to adopt this place, and replace the Flag? Then it can get positive Media attention instead of the alternative?
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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10-02-11 03:28 PM - Post#139978
In response to civicminded
Civic,
I wish they would let someone help. They have been there for a long time and I don't want to hurt their business in any way but, it is very personal to me when they are flying a "Large" AMERICAN Flag that is in very bad shape and we've offered to help them and asked them to take it down and I sent a pamphlet explaining why but, they just won't cooperate for some reason. My Step-Father is a Purple Heart Veteran as well as our very best friends and there are many more as well as those fighting now. It just burns my butt that they will not show respect. Lately, I have been going out of my way to avoid West Plano parkway because I get so upset over that darn Flag. Thanks again civic
bbaker
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carygold
enthusiast
Posts: 4953
Reg: 05-30-08
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10-02-11 05:29 PM - Post#139980
In response to bbaker
I'm wondering if you were to contact the Women's division of the Plano Chamber of Commerce or Senator Florence Shapiro, who is from Plano, if they could put pressure on the business or help you find a way to take up a collection for a new flag...now that's a story.
Also you might try Brett Shipp with WFAA. He was at ground zero right after 9/11, I think this might be a story he would be interested in covering, especially if you find a way to get people to donate to your cause and get local vets to take down the old flag and put up a new one that you got through local donations.
A story with a happy ending.
Plano Chamber, Women's Division
http://www.planochamber.org/About+Womens+Division ....
Senator Florence Shapiro
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/d...
Brett Shipp
http://www.wfaa.com/on-tv/bios/67744292.html
If CEO's increased their pay at the same rate as Average Americans
their pay would average $1,384,890 not $10,621,000 |
Edited by carygold on 10-02-11 05:30 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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10-03-11 08:40 AM - Post#140001
In response to carygold
Thank You Cary,
I will look into that but, they they told me ~3 weeks ago that they had purchased a new Flag for $1000 but, they couldn't get the old one down. I called the Plano Fire Dept. and they went there and offered to use the Ladder truck to help them but they turned them down.
bbaker
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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10-04-11 08:55 AM - Post#140067
In response to carygold
Thanks Cary,
I e-mailed Mr. Ship with WFAA.
The Flag is still flying (I sound like a broken record )
bbaker
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pup
enthusiast
Posts: 3755
Reg: 03-29-06
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10-04-11 09:10 AM - Post#140068
In response to bbaker
Once you get this flag flap resolved, we need to chip in and send you down to Austin to take care of that pesky little school finance issue....
Do you prefer a wooden Louisville Slugger or aluminum?
| Pup has left the building. |
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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10-04-11 12:33 PM - Post#140086
In response to pup
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carygold
enthusiast
Posts: 4953
Reg: 05-30-08
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10-05-11 08:14 AM - Post#140141
In response to bbaker
May I recommend the Aluminum model... the twang sound when you hit something can be therapeutic.
If CEO's increased their pay at the same rate as Average Americans
their pay would average $1,384,890 not $10,621,000 |
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zaphoid
enthusiast
Posts: 517
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-30-08
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10-07-11 09:40 PM - Post#140397
In response to carygold
May I recommend the Aluminum model... the twang sound when you hit something can be therapeutic.
LIKE
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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10-14-11 09:36 AM - Post#140795
In response to bbaker
Finally some help from the city of Plano. Awsome Ladies  I blanked out real names but, I'm sure you can look them up easily enough.
Good Morning Ms xxxxx,
Thank you for following up on this. I will not move forward on this until after 10/20/11 but, I suspect that by then the Oaks will be flying a beautiful new Flag to honor our country and those who protect it and I will send them a thank you card at that time. On behalf of our Country, Troops and Veterans near and far, I appreciate your help in this matter.
Best Regards,
bbaker
_________________________ _______________
From:xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 6:44 PM
To: xxxxxx
Cc: xxxxxxx
Subject: RE: Americanism (or lack therof)
Good evening Ms Baker,
As you alluded to in your correspondence, there aren’t any regulatory controls that govern the removal of torn and/or tattered flags therefore causing these matters to be worked out (hopefully civilly) between the involved parties. However as a courtesy, I contacted the apartment development to see if I could determine their intentions regarding replacement of the flag. They informed me that they were waiting on their contractor to make repairs to their flag pole. I requested that they re-contact their contractor to determine their status in reporting to their site. The property management returned my call later and informed me their contractor should have the flag pole repaired and the new flag installed by the end of the day on Wednesday, October 19th. I plan to follow up with them on Thursday, October 20th to see if they have indeed completed the replacement as indicated. I will update you on my findings at that time.
Regards,
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Director, Property Standards
City of Plano
[email protected]
Edited by bbaker on 10-14-11 09:39 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9251
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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10-14-11 09:41 AM - Post#140796
In response to bbaker
Great report. Hey, see if you can get the tattered one, and offer it to the Allen Post at Reel Thing that night. Just one idea. Thanks for staying on this.
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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10-14-11 11:52 AM - Post#140806
In response to civicminded
Civic,
if they are not too mad at me, maybe they will let me take the old one for a proper retirement. I would be most happy to let the Allen Post Retire it.
bbaker
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 593
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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10-15-11 10:43 AM - Post#140842
In response to civicminded
As of 10/14/11 7pm, the tattered Flag is down  Now if they are not too at me I will wave  and ask them if I can take the old flag to VFW for proper disposal. I think I will send a Thank You card first though on behalf of all Veterans. Hopefully the contractors will get their new Flag flying proudly soon.
bbaker
Edited by bbaker on 10-15-11 10:45 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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