This week I am working as a substitute at a shop other than my own as a manager. I live in Ohio but am currently spending the week in New York helping out another shop. Through the course of my duties today, i was taking a part that was replaced and saving it in case the warranty department requests for it to be mailed in. In the area where the warranty parts are saved, I saw an American flag left on a shelf in disarray. It was torn in several locations. I grabbed the flag and brought it back to the work area. I grabbed the other manager and said, "I found this upstairs, we need to properly fold it and get it to a VFW or American Legion so it can be properly retired."
The other manager did opt to help me. I had her hold the side with the union while I worked with the tattered end of the stripes, trying my best to get the folds as good as I could. It was difficult to keep all together and to keep from touching the ground. A technician there saw what I was trying to do and opted to join in. He took over holding the side with the union and the other manager helped me with supporting the center sections. This flag was bigger than the standard 5x3.
We got the flag properly folded into a triangle, and i found another employee there that was a Veteran that ensured he would get it to the local VFW. Immediately after this situation transpired, i noticed the people at this location, that are not quite sure of why a manager from another state is there, or what to think, take a liking to me.
On top of this, i was able to teach another person how to properly respect our flag. Today was a win.
These are the kind of interactions that feed my soul. Simple, but meaningful.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you. It was such a simple thing that really made my day as well. I recently hooked up electric to illuminate my flag at home at night instead of solar lights and that was a big deal to me as well.
No, thank you.
Those are a couple of the things we’ve really been conditioned to lack, pride and positivity. Especially in such a beautiful country.
I have a genuine and sincere appreciation for many aspects of all cultures but there is nothing wrong with American Exceptionalism, and we need to remember that.
This is an incredible place to be and acts like yours help people to remember that, I appreciate what you’ve done.
You are right, i don't think I've ever heard it termed as American Exceptionalism before, but thats perfect way to describe it. It makes me think of a Reagan quote, "If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before."