Loading ...
BANK OF AMERICA’S FLAG FLAP WAS TRULY OFFENSIVE
BY CHUCK JOHNSON | TAMPA, FLA.
I recently read about the removal of the American flags from in front of a Bank of America facility in Gaffney. Never have I been so angry.
My 23 years of serving in the military taught me many things, one of the most important was the respect we pay to our countries flag.
Such an incident again makes me ask, where has common sense gone to in our country?
Removal of the flags during a procession paying respect to a fallen Marine is a no-brainer. You don’t do it and I don’t care what “policy” you wish to refer to.
And to state that flying or displaying the American flag might “offend some persons” is truly offensive.
In checking with Bank of America in Charlotte, they confirmed no such policy exits — therefore someone at a very high level should take some immediate action to punish those responsible.
This incident will cost Bank of America thousands in deposits and to simply state that it was a “mistake” or “lack of communication” simply will not be enough. It was truly one of the most stupid blunders I have ever heard of.
I do hope this incident will not overshadow the main topic of the day which was the sacrifice of the fallen Marine. He deserved better.
Finally went National!! Bank of America removes American Flags Honoring fallen Marine in Gaffney SC REMOVE YOUR MONEY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIiHA_RcGu4
Flag went up today, but I understand it was a private citizen who supplied it. Neither location had flags this morning.
When I hear things like this, especially early in the morning, I truly think that I have entered an “alternate universe.” So, some bank manager, with an outhouse hole for a brain at a bank decides to remove “offensive American flags” fearing they offend someone dumber than they are. I pinch my self to make sure I fetched all my conscious reasoning abilities while sucking up a cup of caffeine laden coffee. Then I hear this Rod Serling voice in the background talking about entering something called the “Twilight Zone.”
So, the BofA had their day inconvenienced; fearing offending someone and had to go to the trouble of removing the American flags. SO WHAT!!! for the bank. I heard the mother and the family of the fallen Marine were also was not having that good of a day either.
I hope the good people of Gaffney and Cherokee County help this family through this situation.
And, for the bank and the person responsible, let them know what being “offended” is all about.
Who are the flags offensive to? All the illegals in Gaffney, probably. Did this manager get fired? She should have.
I hope the good people of Gaffney do the patriotic thing and shut BOA down by refusing to do business with them. Our nations freedom was primarlly won in this part of South Carolina, during the Revolutionary War. I guess this shows that “Bank of America” does not believe their own name.
BoA now welcomes it’s newest account holders ,members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka Kansas, led by Fred Phelps http://www.godhatesfags.com/
Way to Go BoA! glad I do not have an account in your bank
I had an email conversation with BoA from their “contact us” link on their website. When I pressed them to explain their ‘policy’ this was the response I received last evening; This is a direct quote: “We understand your concerns regarding the banking center manager removing the flags at the Gaffney banking center. Please be advised it could have been perceived as Bank of America partaking on a political
side for example as us condoning the war. Therefore the flags were removed from the banking center to not offend other customers. We understand the disturbance this has caused in the community and apologize that they were removed.” Unbelievable.
Everyone make your calls to this branch and BofA headquarters and get this bank manager fired. I have no sympathy for those who so quickly will dishonor our U.S. troops and American citizens because some “foreigner” “America hater” will be offended.
Phone # for Gaffney BofAs are 1-864-487-8321 or 1-864-487-3651 – Now is the time for all good men/women to come to the aid of their country and troops!!!
I’M OUTRAGED AT WHAT YOUR MANAGER DID. AS SOON AS I PAY OFF MY LOAN TO YOUR BANK, I WILL CLOSE THE ACCOUNT AND NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH YOU AGAIN.– PHIL
Great post from Karl Denninger #255. I read Karl’s stuff every day.
http://market-ticker.org/archives/1460-CALL-FOR-A-NATIONAL-BANK-BOYCOTT-BOA.html
I googled the branch and got this:
1602 W Floyd Baker Blvd
Gaffney, SC 29341-1206
(864) 487-3651
Then I called (864) 487-3651 and pressed “4″ for customer service. I have a BOA account but not at that branch. I entered “0″ when asked for account number, etc., and after several “0″ entries reached a customer service representative. I asked if it was true about them removing flags in front of the branch before a parade for a US Marine, and the customer service rep said “NO, it is not true”, and chuckled (I am thinking they are getting a lot of calls). I repeated the question, and said “are you saying that your branch did not remove flags”, and she replied “Yes, that is what I am saying”. I was polite, and then hung up. I did this around 10:00 am pdt on 9/23/09.
Is this customer service rep lying? If so, and if the story is true, I will be moving a lot of money around in the next few days.
Thanks to Karl Denninger for spreading the word.
oops… post number 255 refers to the other thread about the BOA flag incident:
http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2009/09/17/bank-of-america-in-hot-water-over-sc-flag-flap/
My son is in the USMC and I assure you if he gave the altimate sacrafice his home town and the especially the banks would honor him. I have never been so mad in my life. Who in the world set the policy that you don’t fly the American flag. For gods sake your name is Bank of America. What dam country do you live and work in. The county has taken all of there money out of this so called bank of America and I hope everyone in town does the same. I pray that this woman is fired for dishonoring a patriot during his funeral. She needs to take a stroll through Arlington cemetery for a refresher course on why she is free. Boycott Bank Of America
This is an outrage! Well BOA you went national alright. Hope you are enjoyed the publicity you are getting.Oh isn’t also you that came up with the idea of allowing ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS open accounts with out identifications such as social security cards? Wow you are getting popular.
Once again the BofA leadership refused to dance with the ones that brung them. Ken Lewis ought to get on a corporate jet and show up in Gaffney S.C. and beg forgiveness for the terrible slight his company has done to this Marine and his family. He has forgotten the millions of average Americans who have used BofA over the years, placed their valuables in safety deposit boxes and trusted them with their deposits. Hugh McCall, previous CEO, must be beside himself and hopefully will speak out against Lewis. Either way, BofA is going to loss their posteriors and they have truely earned it.
Below is an email I rec’d a few moments ago, I plan to do this each Friday if possible, please read, maybe the BOA manager should get a copy of this:
Red Shirt
If the red shirt thing is new to you, read
below how it went for a man…
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on
business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but
did not put two and two together..
After we boarded our flight, I turned to
the sergeant, who’d been invited to sit in First Class (across from me),
and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I’m escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed
in Iraq , I’m taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked
to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me
that, although he didn’t know the soldier, he had delivered the news of
his passing to the soldier’s family and felt as if he knew them after many
conversations in so few days.
I turned back to him, extended my hand, and
said, Thank you Thank you for doi ng what you do so my family and I can do
what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped
short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note
that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States
Marine Corps join us on this flight He is escorting a fallen comrade back
home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open
the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his
fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.”
Without a sound, all went as requested. I
noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane,
and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here’s a public Thank You to our
military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Red Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people
wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops
used to be called the “silent majority.” We are no longer silent, and are
voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We
are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our
friends, simply want to recognize that the vas t majority of America
supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our
troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday — and continues each
and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening
message that … Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women
a far, will wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make
the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming
football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country
will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it
will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our
troops know the once “silent” majority is on their side more than ever,
certainly more than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked
“What can we do to make things better for you?” is. “We need your support
and your prayers.” Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity,
by example, and wear something red every Friday.
Reference to John Reynolds Col USAF- The only way BofA leadership will show up if the town gives them bailout money.
Ugh….I hate dopey urban legends proud american….you must of heard this on FOX…hell even in Canada they have fell victim to this…..
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2008/08/23/6550976-cp.html
Fred — The story is 100% legit. It was broken on this website and confirmed by countless other media outlets.
http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2009/09/17/bank-of-america-in-hot-water-over-sc-flag-flap/
http://bit.ly/19Tbln
I am a former Marine and am in the process of cancelling my account with the Bank of UnAmerica. Sounds like coming home from Viet Nam all over again.
Adam……the story about the marine on the plane…..from a proud american…….check out the link before you post…..
You’re comparing this story to that story. But you’re wrong because this one is legit, that one is not.
No I was commenting on the marine on the airplane story, that was not legit….stop being stupid, stupid……..
Yeah okay Tom…..another FOX lemming…..
You know what Fred, I’ve read your post I don’t know why you even live in this country. I never said the story was true, all I said is I rec’d this in an email and posted it for others to read. Whether the story is actually true doesn’t matter, it still touches those who support the troops. As far as the wearing red on Fridays, there is nothing wrong with that to show support, but I forgot you hate dopey urban legends……so I guess me wearing pink all the time as a breast cancer survivor would fall under your dopey legends. You are the one that needs to crawl back under a rock
well i’ve got two credit accounts with boa that i’ll strive to pay off,and also our checking and savings accounts will be no longer with this bank. maybe they can relocate in the middle east and make a go of it
I just paid off an old MBNA credit card that had been bought by B of A. They jacked up the interest rate on it back in April. I complained then, because I always had paid early and more than the minimum. But when they totally disrespected the soldier in Gaffney, that was it!! I just paid the balance totally and today called and CLOSED all accounts. They tried to get me to transfer any other card balances to a no interest card. I refused. When they asked why I was leaving B of A, I told them because of Gaffney. He actually argued with me, saying I need to research it more!!! What a total waste of my time. I researched it well, and when after two months the Bank of America refused to come clean on their “policy”, I decided to act. They claim it is not their policy, but too many employees and ex-employees have said that the policy was in fact in effect before the incident. The branch manager’s attorney even held a press conference to that effect. All this is readily available to a simple search on any internet browser under “Bank of America Gaffney”