The following is, to be fair, in antecedence of anticipated action by a local Post Office station; the post at the center of my attention, my chafed patriotism, is the Superstition Springs Post Office in East Mesa, Arizona. I’d list the address, but I’m not sure that’s completely necessary yet.
July is smack dab in the middle of the Sonoran desert’s monsoon season (did you know the word “monsoon” is Arabic for rain?). Last night we had a pretty solid monsoon storm, replete with strong winds and lots of rain. The winds that gust through during these storms can be surprisingly strong for an area as seemingly desolate as the desert. They have downed power lines and very large trees, even blown tiles and shingles off rooftops — point is, like storm winds most anywhere, they can do damage.
After work I had to drop off a copy of my book for someone who offered to review it for me. As I approached the post office I noticed something wasn’t right with the flag. I parked and climbed out of my vehicle and immediately looked up at it.
Considering what a complete Gordian Knot our country is in (if you don’t know what a Gordian Knot is then substitute the phrase “cluster f—”) the appearance of this flag seemed stoicly metaphorical, a ringing visual indicment of just how badly misshapen our beloved country has become. Yet it is a simple matter to remedy in this situation. If we can’t collectively stand together and eviscerate our “leaders” for being the partisan jackasses they have proven to be, then we can, we should, we must — at a minimum — take pride in the one symbol which most represents us, perhaps most unifies us as brothers and sisters: the American flag.
This poor specimen most likely took her thrashing last night during the storm. I am apalled that nobody at least took the flag down . . . that’s a mere matter of sheer respect. I showed up just before 1pm and she was still waving in the air, torn, punished by forces stronger than any of us. Just look at her.
If you don’t find yourself moved in some regard then perhaps you should take your Communist Party credentials and go someplace like China or Cuba where you will be welcomed openly.I understand the Middle East hates us too . . . perhaps you would fit in with them. I’ll give you heartless Pinkos one last chance to be a shocked as I was.
There was but one teller inside, and his English wasn’t exactly outstanding, so I didn’t attempt taking the issue up with him. He looked beaten down by his job, he didn’t need Mr. America poking a finger in his chest.
Instead, I called my parents first. I absolutely wanted to write a post about it, but before I went off half-cocked I thought it better to see what the best approach would be for contacting someone about this egregious disregard for American symbolism; they have both worked for the Postal Service for quite a long time — for once, I had an inside track on something!
Turns out my dad used to take care of matters like this when he traveled around the state and did maintenance inspections at various locations — this very thing is one of his deepest pet peeves. He told me he used to make the station managers keep three flags on hand at all times, so should one become soiled (or, helloooooo . . . damaged!) it could be swiftly replaced as befits our flag.
They advised me to call the station manager first, then if that didn’t achieve the desired result go straight to the Phoenix Postmaster.
I tried. I really did.
Seven different attempts to the offending post in Mesa resulted in sot so much as one person answering the phone. I queried Mr. Internet — the Great Oz of our time — to try and locate the contact number for a one Robert J Hurley, the Phoenix Postmaster sworn in in 2010, but unsurprisingly his number seems to be unavailable. How are the public supposed to be served if they can’t reach his office?
So I called ASK USPS and talked with a very nice lady who shared my affrontism about the flag’s condition, but all she could give me was the Teller Window number at the main office in Phoenix; a dead end.
Tried a few more searches, switched up my search terms, but still couldn’t find any contact info for Hurley. Back to ASK USPS and another sympathetic woman. This time I got the number for Consumer Affairs.
Another voice in accord with my own who promised to forward my discontent to the proper powers. “Give them a week to get it corrected” she said.
For me, her statement was unbelievable — for my parents, not so much. I texted them after I got off the phone and told them I thought it was a steaming load — not in those words, of course. I called the help line one last time and gave my contact info to yet another voice in agreement who assured me someone would be taking up my issue soon and would contact me.
So there you have it. I’ll post an update soon. This much I am sure of: one week won’t cut it for this American.
Wow, that just breaks my heart. My dad was not only a WWII vet, but a letter carrier who was killed on the job, and he would have surely kicked someone’s ass over this. Go Get Em’! Take it to the newspaper and sic’ them on it! Call the news stations. This is unacceptable!!!
Unbelievable, but you know, I think the post office is more worried about saving their butts than replacing the flag. How much of a loss did they take last year? Last quarter it reported a $2.2 billion loss. Not sure if this could have anything to do with that, “a 2006 law requiring the service to pay between $5.4 and $5.8 billion into its prepaid retiree health benefits each year,” but that must put them in dire straights in this economy. You can read more about it at http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/10/news/companies/usps_earnings/index.htm
I wonder what the flag looks like over at our post office. I’ll have to dive by tomorrow and check. They certainly shouldn’t be flying a torn flag–ever.
That is very sad! My son is a Boy Scout and last year they participated in a ‘retirement ceremony’ for a local flag. (for those of you who don’t know how to properly dispose of a flag, it is a flag burning ceremony). It was very moving.
Disgusting…very, very sad.
Thank you for the blog entry. I live in east Mesa, but was out of our beloved country during this storm. I discovered your blog when I was checking on the Internet to find out when a bad monsoon had hit the Mesa area. I came home to discover that a massive tree had landed on top of my house!
If the post office in question is within the City of Mesa, the person you now need to contact is the Post Office Master General for the City of Mesa; (not sure of correct title).
This person is housed inside of the main post office for Mesa, which is the p.o. at Center St. and 1st St, downtown Mesa. Go there in person. One of the counter clerks will go and get him or her for you. I speak from prior experience.
Another thing you can do, is contact your local American Legion. (See phone book, or Internet etc). If you are in Apache Junction, there is a huge huge American Legion post out there. Also one in Mesa, and one in Tempe. Those guys know all about this flag business. And they handle damaged flags. They are also very patriotic and will raise holy you-know-what with the proper authorities until the flag is taken care of, and it won’t take them a whole week, either. You would need to ask to speak with the commander of the post. Another such organization is the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). Same patriotism, but not as big.
I checked with my husband who is a Viet Nam veteran, and then worked for the Arizona National Guard and then the federal Depart. of Defense. He says that there is even a special ceremony used across the nation to handle a damaged flag. American Legion men/women are trained on how to do this. I dont know about the VFW. It is a major violation of flag protocol to fly a damaged flag. Just like any American flag that is flown at night, or in the dark, is supposed to have a light shining on it.
If none of the above work, then contact the Red Mountain Patriots. Don’t have a heart attack, but this is a huge local tea party gathering of several hundred people that takes place weekly in East Mesa at the high school at Sossaman and Main St. (East Valley HIgh School, 7420 E. Main, Tuesday nights, 6:45 to 8:30 PM. “Randy” is leader of the group. This group even sells flags and flag poles at their meetings. About half of the group are very patriotic veterans. You WILL get action from them. redmountainteaparty@gmail.com, or toll free 1-877-267-3317. Blogsite: redmountainpatriots.wordpress.com.
I don’t know how old you are, but it warms my heart that you care about our country’s flag. It is symbolic of so much. I am in another country for 25% of the time, and trust me, there is no place more wonderful, with more liberty, freedom, and respect for human beings than the United States of America. The flag for our country is like a wedding ring to a couple in love.
I would like you to know that I am a new citizen and my heart absolutely breaks after reading this post. There was never a prouder moment in my life than the day I took the Oath of Allegiance and was sworn in along with other new citizens from multiple countries.
Callous disregard of this beautiful flag should not be taken lightly and I am so glad you are trying to do something about it.
All the best, MJ
Man . . . how could anything I might possibly add surpass MJ’s comment. MJ, speaking for every steadfast and deeply proud American citizen, we are profoundly happy to have you among our numbers. May God bless you and our precious sovereign union.
mr. hurley’s phone # is 602-527-1599.