Pilot Flying J has responded to a viral video in which a trucker says that the company ordered the removal of the American flag.
On Saturday, Facebook user Dave Moore shared a video made during a visit to the Pilot in Amarillo, Texas. In the video, Moore says that after seeing no American flag flying at the truck stop location, he went inside and asked employees for an explanation. Moore says that he was told that “foreigners” had complained about the flag and that it had been removed because Pilot did not want to lose their business. Moore goes on to say that he will no longer do business at a Pilot.
Since Saturday, Moore’s video has been viewed nearly 2 million times.
CDLLife reached out to Pilot Flying J for comment on the video. They indicated that an employee had been misinformed about the reason for the flag’s removal and that the company is at work on putting proper flag display protocols in place.
Here’s a statement from Pilot Flying J representative Denise Hodge:
“We are proudly American – started by a Korean War veteran 60 years ago. Pilot Flying J shows that pride in all of our locations, whether that’s a flag outside, promoting military products in our stores, or through our philanthropic efforts with Wreaths Across America and Fisher House Foundation. We are in the process of repairing the damaged pole at the Amarillo, Texas location and we regret our team member was misinformed. What many may not know is there are very specific rules and protocols to properly fly a flag; everything from how it’s raised and flown, to how it’s lit at night. We are working to put those protocols in place to ensure we show the flag the respect it deserves at locations that fly the red, white and blue.“