Culture
LET THEM FLY: Jacksonville Mayor Vindicates Business Owner Attacked For Military Flags
After being ordered to remove military flags, the mayor of Jacksonville stepped in.
On Monday, a business owner in Jacksonville, Florida received an unwelcomed visitor. A code enforcement agent, identified as Melinda Power, entered Jaguar Power Sports to cite the business owner for a number of military flags that were being flown on the roof of the business.
While the city employee citing the business was likely just her following orders, that isn’t the main reason people became upset by the situation. As an employee of Jaguar Power Sports explains, as the city of Jacksonville employee was citing the business for the flags, she took the time to insult a customer inside the business, who identified himself as a veteran.
https://www.facebook.com/jaguarpowersport/videos/1726658027417565/
That veteran later spoke with local news station Action News Jax, explaining how everything went down.
“I voiced my opinion that I was a veteran and I don’t appreciate it,” he said. “At that point, she turned to me and said, ‘Well, your opinion doesn’t really matter at this point. I’m here to discuss this with the owner.”
He then went on to explain how she attacked his military service:
“She turned around at the door and said to me, in a very loud voice that, what I did for this country did not matter,” he said. “I was mad. I don’t take a lot of things personal. I really don’t, but that strikes a chord with me.”
In response to this entire situation, the Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida chimed in making it known that he is going to allow the military flags to fly.
1. I Have directed city staff that military flags should be treated same as US flag. Let them fly. I Have reached out to the business owner & will review employee procedures. COJ employees r expected to be respectful of our customers – you, the people of Jacksonville.
— Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) April 16, 2018
2. We support our military and veterans, and we appreciate businesses who honor their service.
— Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) April 16, 2018
It is yet unclear if the employee who insulted the veteran customer will be punished. We will update you on any developments.
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