With rumors flying around social media about changes to flag policy, truck stop giant Pilot Flying J has issued a statement to try to set the record straight.
In the past few weeks, multiple Facebook users have shared posts claiming that Pilot Flying J is removing American flags from their store locations.
This rumor initially began in the spring of 2018 when Facebook user Dave Moore shared a video claiming that Pilot Flying J removed the flag from store locations because it offended “foreigners.” After the video went viral, the rumor was debunked by fact checking site Snopes and other media outlets. Pilot also issued a statement explaining that the flag was not flying because the flag pole was broken.
The rumor started to recirculate in late September 2019 and Facebook posts about flag removal have become so widely shared that Pilot Flying J issued a statement on October 3 once again denying that they are removing the flag from their stores.
The statement reads:
We are aware that the rumor questioning our respect of the American flag is recirculating. The rumor is absolutely false. We strongly stand behind our commitment to honor the flag at every U.S. location inside or out. We take great pride in being an American owned and veteran founded company.
Several Facebook users shared photos of flags being flown at Pilot Flying J stores to back up the company’s statement.
