Jul 16, 2012
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Demonstrators waving American flags protested outside a fire station in Seminole, Fla. after the city ordered American flags removed from all fire trucks.
City officials said the flags were removed after they received complaints that the flags were being “inappropriately displayed.”
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The flag was being displayed from the back of a ladder truck. After it was removed, city officials received a second complaint about smaller flags that were being displayed from truck windows.
Fire Chief George Bessler confirmed to Fox News that he directed firefighters to remove the American flags – but it had nothing to do with being anti-American.
“When it came to our attention that this flag was mounted in such a manner we requested the flag be removed,” he said, noting that the employee had mounted the flag with good intentions.
Chief Bessler said American flags can only be mounted on a chassis or the right front fender.
“This flag clearly was not being flown in that manner,” he said. “The issue was never that we did not want to display American flags on our vehicles. It was simply that we respectfully did it according to the way the U.S. Code was written.”
The decision to remove the flags sparked debate across the city.
Resident Deborah Fender told MyFoxTampaBay.com that she felt red, white and “betrayed.”
“To be able to fly the flag and support our country, it should be a right,” she said.
“You just can’t tell somebody you can’t fly the flag,” David Dabney told The Ledger newspaper.
Dabney is a member of the Tampa Bay Troop Support Group. He organized Sunday’s protest hoping it would cause city leaders to rethink their decision.
And it worked.
Chief Bessler told Fox News that he directed the city’s maintenance department to fabricate flag stands that would accommodate a properly mounted American flag. He said the flags should be flying on fire trucks by the end of the week.
In the meantime, the chief said he was surprised and concerned by the outrage over the decision to remove the flags.
“What concerns me is where we are in our history without people understanding what the US Code reads,” he said. “I’m absolutely thrilled that people are upset about the fact that we had to remove flags. I’m bothered by the fact that they don’t understand why we had to do that.”
Bessler said he’s a student of the flag and its history. He’s also Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader who teaches proper flag etiquette.
“We appreciate the display of an American flag,” he said. “We have flags that fly 24-hours a day in front of all of our fire stations that are backlit so they meet US Code. We have flags on our uniforms.”
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there is no such thing as a us flag code..its not a law the first amendment says you can fly it…any flag code is a suggestion as to how it should be respectfully flown…but it is America and we can fly it how we wish even upside down until this waste of human skin is out of the oval office.
@Barnaby S Smithfield – Are you deranged? Or just stupid? There IS a U.S. flag code and NO you canNOT hang a flag upside down UNLESS to signal distress.
Irresponsible reporting. Shame on FoxNews for the misleading, dishonest headline! Bravo to the fire department for trying to display the flag properly.
This could have been a warm, small story. It's probably some nice old guy (this is the Tampa area, after all), probably a veteran, sitting on his porch and watching a fire truck go by with a flag hanging off the back. I can picture him shaking his cane saying "Dagnabbit, these whippersnappers don't know the first thing about flag etiquette." He's the hero in this.
Instead of this story, Starnes spins it into a 'war on patriotism' screed. This is the worst kind of journalism. This isn't even journalism; it's just rabble rousing, trying to create controversy where none exists.
BUT ITS OK TO BURN THE FLAG!
then put them in the"the right" location…better than removal…
then put them in the"the right" location…better than removal…
Chief Bessler said American flags can only be mounted on a chassis or the right front fender.
“This flag clearly was not being flown in that manner,” he said. “The issue was never that we did not want to display American flags on our vehicles. It was simply that we respectfully did it according to the way the U.S. Code was written.”.
– I fail to see what the issue is then. They're not getting rid of them, they just can't put them in certain spots on the fire trucks. As the chief stated, they realized they were violating US code. End of story.
Enough excuses from these government officials! Leave the flag alone until you can replace it in what is called a "proper" manner. There evidently are still American citizens living in that city. As long as this city is still part of the U. S., that flag must fly proudly. When, sometime in the future, the citizens no longer exist and the city is no longer part of the U. S., then do whatever. In the meantime, FLY THE DAMN THING, AND FLY IT PROUDLY!
@Allen Schubert – It's not an "excuse." The fire department was wrong. This is from the U.S. flag code: (b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
Granted it does not specifically say fire trucks; however, if people READ the article you would have seen this tidbit: "Chief Bessler told Fox News that he directed the city’s maintenance department to fabricate flag stands that would accommodate a properly mounted American flag. He said the flags should be flying on fire trucks by the end of the week.
In the meantime, the chief said he was surprised and concerned by the outrage over the decision to remove the flags.
“What concerns me is where we are in our history without people understanding what the US Code reads,” he said. “I’m absolutely thrilled that people are upset about the fact that we had to remove flags. I’m bothered by the fact that they don’t understand why we had to do that.”
I too agree with the chief – it was temporary removal. How does anyone know it wasn't a VETERAN who complained because the fire dept wasn't complying with the flag code? Hmm? If some Americans weren't so damn impatient all the time…I bet you they were going to replace them by the end of the week and whatever protest mentioned had nothing to do with it.
Well I can see our fine American education system is at work with some of these comments…
(b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
Granted it does not specifically say fire trucks; however, if people READ the article you would have seen this tidbit: "Chief Bessler told Fox News that he directed the city’s maintenance department to fabricate flag stands that would accommodate a properly mounted American flag. He said the flags should be flying on fire trucks by the end of the week.
In the meantime, the chief said he was surprised and concerned by the outrage over the decision to remove the flags.
“What concerns me is where we are in our history without people understanding what the US Code reads,” he said. “I’m absolutely thrilled that people are upset about the fact that we had to remove flags. I’m bothered by the fact that they don’t understand why we had to do that.”.
I too agree with the chief – it was temporary removal. How does anyone know it wasn't a VETERAN who complained because the fire dept wasn't complying with the flag code? Hmm? If some Americans weren't so damn impatient all the time…I bet you they were going to replace them by the end of the week and whatever protest mentioned had nothing to do with it.
How many of you "flag loving" "patriotic" Americans actually HAVE the U.S. flag flying outside your home? At your employment? Do you know the proper way to fly it? Do you leave it up all night without a light shining on it? Do you leave it up in the rain or inclement weather? NO ONE BANNED THE FLAG ON FIRETRUCKS SO CALM THE F* DOWN!
I think the people understood why the flags had to come down but could not understand why it took a protest to push a solution into place that could have been done month ago.
Fly the flag correctly the first time, every time and mistakes won't happen. Good intentions are appreciated by all who have served regardless of the position; military, police, fire, emergency services, whomever; but there are clear gidlines for doing so. Read the code, go out to your truck, car, helicopter, whatever. If it ain't right, fix it so these hairballs stop blowing up in peoples faces. An ounce of prevention is work a ton of smack down anyday.
Jeff… I couldn't agree with you more. I have become known as the Flag Police in Minot because I call businesses and govt offices to remind them their flags are flying incorrectly.
I too have been known to correct improperly displayed flags. Even had a lady at a flea market hanging the flag upside down…dumb, just plain dumb.
Fly the flag correctly the first time, every time and mistakes won't happen. Good intentions are appreciated by all who have served regardless of the position; military, police, fire, emergency services, whomever; but there are clear gidlines for doing so. Read the code, go out to your truck, car, helicopter, whatever. If it ain't right, fix it so these hairballs stop blowing up in peoples faces. An ounce of prevention is work a ton of smack down anyday.
I'm looking forward to their putting the correct chassis mounts on the trucks at the earliest opportunity.
Why doesn't anyone look up the federal guidelines for properly flying the flag, to show the proper respect, before making such fools of themselves with comments such as those here?
It is our crest, any USA flag should be honored, no matter how it is displayed, that just so happens to be one of our ammendments, freedom of speech, and the freedom of expression is listed under the freedom of speech act. The fucking city should worry about other important things, like fixing pot- holes! Put the city officials in a field and use them all as target practice! its time to elect anyone that is running for office and that has never been in office, lets change the politicians of America once and for all!
I'm tired of being a f***** minority as far as american is the right way