A Facebook user has posted videos of trucks turning away from the entrance of a Kentucky Pilot Flying J, allegedly in response to the company’s refusal to allow the display of an American flag.
According to a post from Facebook user Jessica Ramsdell, earlier this month a manager at the Pilot Flying J truck stop in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, requested the removal of American flags that were previously on display at the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C.
Ramsdell wrote: “The honor guard we’re escorting a flag that had been flown at the Vietnam wall in DC and was going to be flown at another location. People went out to greet the guard and were in the process of placing flags on the outer edge of flying J property (where they were going to take a break). The manager came out and made them remove all American flags.”
The incident has sparked serious controversy and debate on social media, along with addition protests at the truck stop. In the videos posted by Ramsdell below (many of which which have been viewed over 100,000 times in less than 24 hours) you can see truck drivers seemingly responding to the protesters by turning their rigs around and refusing to enter the truck stop.
Ramsdell declined when CDLLife asked for comment on the incident but mentioned another protest taking place at the location on October 1 at 2 p.m.
Many Facebook users were outraged by the alleged incident.
Others found inspiration in the display of patriotism.
Pilot Flying J: Sight Lines And Safety Were Main Concerns
When CDLLife reached out to Pilot Flying J for comment, we were issued the following statement by Anne LeZotte, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Relations:
“Pilot Flying J proudly welcomes the American flag at all our locations.
After looking into the concern at our store #660, located at 15236 State Route 180, Catlettsburg, KY, we found that the concerns were not with the flags themselves but with the safety of where they were placed as we need to make sure they don’t block the lines of sight of drivers pulling into our locations.
The safety of our team members and guests is our number one priority.”
Here’s another look at the protesters: