US Flag 'Offensive' at Kindred Hospital in Mansfield, Texas

by Tina Kells | May 28, 2009 at 06:37 pm

3108 views | 30 Recommendations | 77 comments

Debbie McLucas, an employee at Kindred Hospital in Mansfield, Texas was stunned when she was told to remove a US flag she had in her office window because it was deemed "offensive" by hospital administrators. The US flag offensive? In Texas??

The mother of three military service people, one of whom, her daughter, is currently serving in Iraq for a second tour, and army wife, Debbie McLucas hung the flag to honor her family and her country during the week leading up to Memorial Day. On the Friday before the Memorial Day long weekend she was told to remove the US flag because it was "offensive."

McLucas, a supervisor at Kindred Hospital in Mansfield, Texas, had displayed the 3-by-5-foot flag in the office she shares with the hospital’s three other supervisors. McLucas said one of her colleagues, a woman who immigrated to the United States from Africa 14 years ago, complained about the flag to upper management, and the hospital decided to take down the flag.

"I was told that as long as my flag offended one person, it would be taken down," McLucas said.

She said the hospital told her that the American flag flying outside the building would have to suffice. "I was told, ‘There is a flag hanging out front, everyone can see that one. Is that not enough?’"

No, she said, that wasn't enough.

"It is more than I can even fathom, that you would find the American flag offensive, in America," McLucas said.

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TCM (not verified)

at 09:32 on May 29th, 2009

I don't believe it's getting "worked up." I believe its time people in this country stand up for their rights that the facist Obama is slowly whittling away. If you can't stand up for the rights and values of this nation, perhaps you don't belong; which is fine. There are daily nonstop flights overseas. The underlying current of this flag story is liberalism, and it's groups like the ACLU, ACORN, Organizers for America, which are slowly degrading the stature of this once great nation. Through in the dumbing down of America via Affirmative Action and "No child left behind..." and we have the makings for a 3rd world nation...just as the "unable to succeed," liberal minority wants it....screw them all, fly the flag!

FreeTexan (not verified)

at 18:40 on May 29th, 2009

It's not about a flag in an office paschen. It's about how someone came from ANOTHER country who complained about OUR symbol of freedom getting their way. I think if she found it offensive we should ship her back to Africa.

Tina Kells

at 13:56 on May 29th, 2009

I think the point is that it was in the US. Who goes to any country not expecting to see that country's flag? Who lives in a country with the same expectation? Why is a national flag offensive in the nation it belongs to? Those are the key questions here. Why should an American in America be told it is offensive to be proud of their national symbol?

Michael Z (not verified)

at 04:26 on May 29th, 2009

We have endured enough flag desicration oversees and now in a hospital within our own borders, well I have to tell you although not suprised, I am disappointed in the actions and choice of words used by administative staff to deal with what I consider a basic right "FREEDOM OF SPEECH (expression). But in our country we have a cancer that your hospital nor any treatment will cure and that is the illness that is slowly stripping away our freedoms and ignoring our founding fathers declaration's. I hope the person or persons who were and or are offended by the displaying of our national symbol, for which hundreds of thosands of patriots have laid down their lives so others may exercise the right to freedom of speech think about what your saying and doing and to those who dont like or are offended by the displaying of our flag either go back to were you came from or as with anything we dont like to see ------ dont look --- if your offended by porn do you look at it ? If you dont like a television show ,do you watch it , no. So go ahead express your opinions then move on with life dont try to take your opinions into actions.

And to the lady who flew the flag I would be proud to help you work thru your what must be anger and frustration, "WE THE PEOPLE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU AND YOURS" WHO HAVE SERVED AND AS MY CHILD IS ALSO SERVING CURRENTLY, WELL SIMPLY PUT" GOD BLESS AMERICA" and pray for our future. This is only the begining of what will turn out to be a bitter and devisive issue

Michael Z.

SMT (not verified)

at 04:26 on May 29th, 2009

Here is the contact info for the hospital:

Kindred Hospital - Mansfield
1802 Highway 157 North
Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone: (817) 473-6101
TX TDD/TTY# 800-735-2988

Ive made it a point to call them every so often and tell them how I feel about this issue. You should too! its only by putting pressure on them, that they will realize just how incredibly stupid this issue is. Lets generate some numbers in their call center people!

-Steven

Paschen

at 04:32 on May 29th, 2009

Harassment and bullying, sounds very mature SMT (not Verified).

A MILITARY MOM (not verified)

at 21:28 on May 29th, 2009

PASCHEN,

I FIND YOU VERY OFFENSIVE.IAM A MILITARY MOM MY ONLY SON WHO'S 19 IS SERVING YOUR,MINE "WE THE PEOPLES COUNTRY ALONG WITH THE MANY MEN AND WOMEN AND LETS NEVER EVER FORGET THE VETS THATS DIED FOR YOU!! MINE ,WE THE PEOPLES FREEDOM LETS NOT FORGET FREEDOMS NOT FREE NOR IS IT FREE TO THE OFFENDED ONE THAT BITCHED ABOUT THE FLAG ,DOES SHE COMPLAIN WHEN SHE GETS A PAY CHECK THAT FEEDS HER FAMILY,THE HEALTH CARE ,THE ROOF OVER HER HEAD ,, DOES SHE IN FACT HAVE A CHILD FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY LIKE ME AND MANY ,MANY OTHERS DO?????I FIND YOU TO BE A VERY DISRESPECTFUL HUMAN BEING .THIS IS AMERICA THE STRONGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD YET WE ALLOW IMMAGRANTS TO FEED OFF WHAT WE HAVE WORKED FOR ,,BORN AMERICANS,AND HELP THEM LIVE A LIFE HERE .YES IAM OFFENDED WITH YOU! YOU SHOULD HOLD YOU HEAD DOWN IN SHAME .TO DARE TO DISRESPECT THE AMERICANS WHO DIED AND ARE STILL DYING FOR YOU .THE WORDS "IN GOD WE TRUST"MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?IS HOLDING YOUR HAND OVER YOUR HEART WHEN THE NATIONAL ANTHEM IS BEING SANG MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?MY SON MY PROUD SON THAT WEARS THE CLOTH OF THE NATION IS 19 AND PROUD TO FIGHT FOR US...WHY ARE YOU ,YES YOU DEFENDING THIS OUTRAGEOUS ,DISRESPECTFUL ISSUE.I CONCUR EVERYTHING MANY PEOPLE ON THIS BLOG HAVE SAID IF YOU DONT LIKE OUR PEACHES THEN DONT YOU SHAKE OUR TREE.. GO HOME TONIGHT PASCHEN ASK GOD FOR FORGIVNESS AND I WILL PRAY FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU NEED TO FIND JESUS! AND GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE GET OVER YOUR SELF STAND UP STRAIGHT PROUD AND DEFEND US ,WE THE PEOPLE.IF YOU CAME TO MY HOUSE YOU MIGHT LOOK LIKE CASPER MY HOUSE IS WITH MANY AMERICAN FLAGS MY HARLEY HAS TWO FLAGS ON EACH TAIL LIGHT ONE ,THE "AMERICAN FLAG THE OTHER POW FLAG I AM NEVER ASHAMED OF OUR COUNTRY YOU NEED TO GET OVER YOUR SELF CLOSE YOU PC GO HOME AND BOW YOUR HEAD IN SHAME.I LOST ALL MY UNCLES IN VEITNAM,MY BROTHER IN IRAQ,MY DAD DIED FOR OUR COUNTRY NOW MY SON WHO HAD THE GUTS AND FAITH N COURAGE IS DOING THE SAME.MY FINAL THOUGHT..THIS COUNTRYS FALLING AND ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND THE OFFENDED ONE THAT MAKE US BITTER AND NEWS FLASH I LIVE IN A STATE WITH ALOT OF VETS AND MILITARY PEOPLE AND MY BIKER COMMUNITY. IVE SENT THE VIDIO EMAIL TO 300 PEOPLE I KNOW AND PERSONALLY MADE A CALL TO THE HOSPITAL AND MADE MY VOICE HEARD THATS MY RIGHT AS AN AMERICAN AND THERE WILL BE MANY MANY MORE THAT FOLLOW.SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON THE OFFENED.

SINCERLEY A PROUD MILITARY MOM!

A MILITARY MOM (not verified)

at 22:03 on May 29th, 2009

PASCHEN,

READING YOUR PROFILE SAYS IT ALL YOUR NOT EVEN AN AMERICAN YOU TO ARE JUST AS GUILITY AS THE OFFENED ONE ,YOU HAVE NO RIGHT WHAT SO EVER TO EVEN SPEAK A WORD YOUR NOT AMERICAN BORN ,YOUR NOT AN AMERICAN ,WERE DO YOU THINK ITS ACCEPTABLE TO SAY ANYTHING?THAT FLAG THAT REPRESENTS OUR COUNTRY NOT YOURS IS OUR GOD GIVEN RIGHT OUR BORN IN THE USA RIGHT NOT YOURS .I HOPE ALL THAT READS THIS BLOG READS HIS PROFILE AND SIT BACK AND THINK HE SPEAKS WITH FORK TOUNGE AND NOT EVEN AN AMERICAN WOW!NOW GIVE THAT CONCEPT A THOUGHT .HES DEFENDING A IMMAGRANT BECAUSE HES NOT AN AMERICAN OMG IAM BESIDE MYSELF WITH YOUR POSTS PASCHEN.

MILITARY MOM

george g. (not verified)

at 14:53 on May 30th, 2009

"UWE EBERHARD PASCHEN Born in N’Garoudere, Cameroon on the 14th of October 1964 and raised in Cameroon and Niger, German, French and Cameroon National. "

Paschen, why don't you stick your French/Cameroon born national nose in to Sharkozy politics and leave Texans alone? Who died and put you in charge?

Your comments are as socialists as your ancestry - did you ever consider the fact that not everyone may feel the same way? Specially down south?

a military mom (not verified)

at 09:47 on June 2nd, 2009

george g.

DULY NOTED!!this is the problem we being the strongest country in the world immagrants who flee other countries and come to the usa,for reasons as no freedom of speach, lack of food,health care ect,dictatorship in their country is and has been there before sand,however, theres a respect issue here ,they come here take food from our familys ect u know the game ,yet the have the nerve to be disrespectful .the flag our forefathers and mothers remember the women that served as nurses in the military as my great grandmother did ,died for a purpose freedoms never free the loss we suffer still today is and has purpose,even thou i as a military mom have my mothers love for my son who will be deployed scratches my head lays my head down at night with tears of fear are there i still stand tall proud and fight for everything we as the people of the united states of america stand and fight ,and defend for .this issue at hand will never come to an end regretfully,thoses offened ones will and continue to come here and you will press one for english,??your sons and daughters yours and my grandkids will have no ss no pell grants,no health care because they the offeded ones will take priority because we gave it to them freely allowing them to come here no blaming just making my point,the boundries have been crossed and now the repercussions are on us americans .like our flag being disrespected what about how they took our solider by rope dead and drug him around with the flag burning next to him laughing ,smiling as thou ha ha on us what a shameful disgusting feeling that gives me !what a disgrace ,paschen the african need to be punished she needs to be fired and shipped back with a reciet,he(paschen) needs to shut up i have a huge bag of shut up for him and her and would gladly hand feed them.when i was a single mom raising both my children working two jobs going to school i stood in the grocery line counting my pennys praying i had enough for one meal for my kids while the lady from another country pulled out her food stamp card and a basket full of great food and couldnt speak a word of english feed her kids as mine watched i felt my country was doing somthing wrong with this pic,,feeling me here ,,but i saw this over and over again .look i have no problem feeding kids or making sure there healths being looked after there kids ,babies theve done nothing but be born innocent but its the illigals that are grown and know how to screw our system that gets under my saddle like a burr.we feed our own first we take care of our own first thats what debbie was doing looking out for her own and our children by hanging the one thing that we hold respect and honor most to us it was for all of us she respresented us all as americans.but was critizied,put in shame from a woman who hasnt earrred her american rights .shame on her shame on the ones who defend her .iam sickened to read the ones like paschen and a few others who allow the comments to be freely said its absolutly a disgust.

military mom

Sharon Russell (not verified)

at 04:32 on May 29th, 2009

How DARE YOU!! to tell this woman to remove the American Flag. DA!! DA!! We live IN AMERICA!!! That is our flag and if the African lady doesn't like it she can just go back to her country where she can fly her own flag. Are we such wimps that we give in to everyone who does't like America. I hope to hear an apology from you for this action and RETURN THE AMERICAN FLAG where it belongs. It's a slap in the faces of all who died and all who suffered in 1700's so we can fly this flag.

Ken McClellan (not verified)

at 04:59 on May 29th, 2009

Regarding the individual who found the flag offensive: You came to the United States voluntarily. No one forced you to live here. If the flag of the US is so abhorrent to you,, if the standards and ideals for which it stands offend you, get out. Go home.

Big Willey (not verified)

at 05:11 on May 29th, 2009

I hope everyone is ready. This is only the beginning (not that this is the first issue like this we've seen). I fear this is going to snowball terribly. I fear more for my kids and their future, the way the government and society have been acting. Its a tragedy, outrage, and nuisance to see people offended by the flag that represents our country. If you dont like, what you see here, GET THE _ _ _ _ OUT!!

J D (not verified)

at 07:17 on May 29th, 2009

Putting aside peoples right to display their patriotisim in the work environment did anyone see the video on CNN.com? The hospital said the flag flying out front was sufficient. It is in poor condition. Anyone who flys a flag in that state deserves no consideration.

israeli.agent

at 07:31 on May 29th, 2009

Update..!

A Kindred Healthcare spokeswoman did not return calls for comment. Kindred issued a press release stating, “Kindred Hospital Mansfield has a great deal of appreciation for the service that many of our employees and their families have given to their country. We honor our veterans and active military through a variety of benefits and service programs. This was an isolated incident between two employees that we are working to resolve amicably.”

The statement went on to explain: “The disagreement was over the size of the flag and not what it symbolized. We have invited the employee to put the flag back up.”

And it will go back up and stay up, McLucas said.

"I do think they're trying to do the right thing. I have no reason to believe the flag won't remain there as long as I'm employed."

.Agent.

Paschen

at 08:25 on May 29th, 2009

The whole dispute is about size not the Flag.

Well every one is getting worked up for nothing.

Thank you Agent for clarifying this.

israeli.agent

at 08:49 on May 29th, 2009

You are welcome, Paschen. Yes, if the size of the flag was the issue ( for example it was restricting the movement of the person who made the complaint to such extend that he / she could not do his /her duty) then the whole incident makes sense. But IMHO, the flag offends the some feeling is a different matter altogether.

Finally, peace and darn! everybody needs to check their blood pressure now..!

:-).

.Agent.

Tina Kells

at 14:04 on May 29th, 2009

Thanks for this.

israeli.agent

at 17:13 on May 29th, 2009

You are welcome, Tina.

By the way, An anonymous comment which said something good about me is just disappeared from this story. The url to that comment was http://www.nowpublic.com/comment/reply/2336732/377582. I wanted to thank the commentator for his/her kind words ( something I rarely get here..lol, maybe it is my id.) for me and opened the reply button pressed. After sometime when checked that anon comment itself just disappeared.

Could that be a bug in software or something?

.Agent.

abc1 (not verified)

at 07:53 on May 29th, 2009

Does this hospital receive any government money?

JST Me (not verified)

at 08:00 on May 29th, 2009

I can't believe that this imagrant from Africa can say what can happen in this Country, our Country. She had imigrated to this beautiful "FREE" Country fourteen years ago for some reason, and now has the gawl to say that beautiful flag offends her. She should get back to Africa if she doesn't like it. This is AMERICA, lady. And our soldiers are over there fighting for all of our freedom, even hers. Freedom that gives her the right to complain about something that stands for this great country. Apparently she has forgotten what this Country has done for her. Maybe if she returns to Africa, it will remind her, that this is the greatest place in the World and if she doesn't love it, then she is more than welcome to leave it. I get tired of what a very few number of people can do and get away with it, when the majority should take precidence over them. We need to start standing up for our Country and God in order for this Country to last.

Joe M. (not verified)

at 08:20 on May 29th, 2009

Although a 3x5 flag is somewhat large for an office setting, the employee should be offered the opportunity to display a smaller flag. The person complaining should be deported back to where she came from and send that Kindred supervisor with her!

Mattman (not verified)

at 08:30 on May 29th, 2009

The article said that the immigrant couldn't speak english well. Maybe she meant to say, "Thank you for flying that America flag and allowing me into your country. I should be so lucky to even have a chance to live in the United States and prosper even in a time or downturn." But instead it came out "That flag offends me, take it down NOW. I hate America and everything it stands for, except for the money it gives to me which I in return send to my family in Africa."

Also, the place is a hospital, I wouldn't suggest calling it to complain but rather write so the phone lines can take more imporant calls, ie saving someone's life (so they too can have the freedom to complain about America)

Big Willey (not verified)

at 08:31 on May 29th, 2009

Who's side do YOU think the government would be on?

Ashamed (not verified)

at 08:51 on May 29th, 2009

We all know that the real reason is more than likely not the size of the flag. Even in public schools there an American flag in every classroom. How shameful that more people didn't protest her right to keep her flag up. The Prideful patriotic need to stop being so pilot and start making a stand. Do you think if an American went to another country on a Patriotic Holiday and asked them to take down their flag they would comply?? Of course not. America is going to have the reputation of being pushovers. After generations of fighting for our freedoms we don't have the coomon sense to protect the basic one of having pride in our country? Stop being so "pilot" they aren't going to worry about your feelings. Who's the idiot that took it down?? Now that is offensive.

Even more Embarassing it was in TEXAS!

Tiffany the evil princess (not verified)

at 09:08 on May 29th, 2009

I' be willing to bet the lady that complained didn't have a problem with taking off Monday (Memorial Day). I have went to the web page of Kindred Hospital and they have left a statement if you would like to see it here is the link http://www.kindredmansfield.com/BuildPage.asp?Pageid=282

I find this disgraceful and ignorant. The flag represents the freedoms, rights and liberities you will find in no other country. The hospital has removed there email link but there contact info is listed below. If you are as hurt about this situation as I am then I encourage you to make a stand and let them know. I will be writing a letter how about you?

Kindred Hospital - Mansfield
1802 Highway 157 North
Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone: (817) 473-6101
TX TDD/TTY# 800-735-2988
Fax: (817) 473-5538

Suzanne Kennedy (not verified)

at 07:21 on May 31st, 2009

I just spoke to Rhonda Williams in the Administration office. She has handled this beautifully.

A public company statement is below:

Louisville, KY (May 28, 2009) – Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: KND) issued this statement today regarding an incident involving an American flag at Kindred Hopital Mansfield:

We are offended one of our employees took down a colleague's American flag in our Mansfield, TX hospital. It was wrong and as soon as we learned about it we took immediate action to correct the situation. At no time did anyone at Kindred Healthcare instruct anyone to take down the American flag. This was an unauthorized act of an individual employee. The flag is now proudly displayed once again, and we apologize to all who were equally offended by this unpatriotic action, including the owner of the flag. We have reprimanded the employee and let them know we don't tolerate behavior inconsistent with our Company's values.

Thomas F. (not verified)

at 09:37 on May 29th, 2009

Ok, we are talking about a woman who hung an American flag in observance of Memorial day inside HER office. Who cares how big the flag was! She is not asking anybody to come in to her office and salute or say the pledge of aligiance. Oh and Paschen, for all the posting you are doing on this site it seems to me that you are the one "getting all worked up for nothing." Furthermore if somebody's rights are being trampled on by their employer, citizens of this country have the right and responsibility to share their views with said party. This is not "bullying" or "harassment". While you live in Canada, where it seems that people have no love or respect for their country, you have no clue of why this is offensive to people. Dedication to ones country is not "insecurity". I'm sure that your employees (if you really have any) find it a real pleasure to work for such an ignorant slob. This is why people like you belong in Canada. So get back to your igloo, hop into some flannell and watch some hockey. By the way, when was the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup?

Ron from Ohio (not verified)

at 09:37 on May 29th, 2009

Send the complainer back to Africa. She is very happy to take US dollars so put up the flag. I say the local vfw and any military should be protesting in front of that hospital. This country is going downhill because of people like that. If upper management cant stand up for american rights then replace them. Take a stand and support the troops. Its not about supporting the war its about supporting the warrior! We are still free because of what they do.