Wednesday, April 16, 2003
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Wednesday, April 16, 2003 |
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No flag for now at Fayette Hospital By JOHN MUNFORD
These days it's hard not to miss the American flag being flown throughout the area and displayed on bumper stickers and other decals on automobiles. The flag, however, is not flying at Fayette Community Hospital for a variety of reasons, although management is considering the possibility, explained spokesperson Ryan Duffy. Although the hospital supports American troops, hospital officials don't want to offend others by erecting a flag just as the country goes to war, Duffy said. "Just because we don't fly the flag doesn't mean we aren't supportive of our troops," Duffy said, noting that American flag pins have been made available to staff members to wear if they choose. The hospital also has several programs for employees who have loved ones serving abroad in the military, including an internal Web site for employees only, she said. The hospital's chaplain is also involved in a special program to assist those employees, she added. Funding is also a concern, Duffy said, and the decision to buy an appropriate flagpole and assorted equipment must be weighed against buying other medical equipment such as wheelchairs and stretchers, Duffy added. "It's not just a matter of putting up a pole, but also installation and lighting and having a backup flag and getting the staff trained," Duffy said. Hospital officials also want to insure that if the American flag is flown there it is done so properly and that the location of the flag pole won't conflict with a future expansion of the facility. "It's not going to happen overnight," Duffy said, noting that if the hospital were owned by the county, it would have been required to display a flag. But the facility is privately owned, although it is the only hospital serving Fayette County. The matter is under consideration by hospital management but no decision has been made yet, Duffy said. "We haven't made a decision not to put the flag up," Duffy said. .
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