Thank you Leonard Thomas!  Every year around this time, without skipping a beat, I'll wake up one morning and there's a flag in my yard.  Attached to the flag is a blurb that says something like "Compliments of Leonard Thomas". 

The first year I lived here, I'll be honest, I was very annoyed.  He knew it was my house, and how could he have the audacity to put his advertising in my yard?  I immediately removed it from the yard.

Last year, the flag returned... I thought about it and was like, "The street looks nice having all these flags lined up so I'll leave it.  I'll remove his advertising, but I'll leave the flag." 

This past weekend, the flags appeared.  I wasn't feeling well, so I didn't remove the advertising until yesterday, but it didn't bother me at all like that first year.  I drove through the neighborhood and actually found myself annoyed at the people who had removed their flags.  I thought to myself, "Those people aren't very patriotic."  Then I remembered myself 3 years ago.  It doesn't have to do with patriotism.  It has to do with appreciating someone trying to do something nice.

I know that each year, Leonard's work force will be walking the streets in the heat to make sure everyone has a flag.  I might not agree with making a 1 year old learn the value of a buck this early, but since he can crawl from yard to yard, why not put him to work. (*wink*) I'll keep that flag in my yard, until the next time we mow...

 
Posted by Donna Harris, ASP on 07/01/2008 10:51 AM   Comments (15)   , , , , ,  
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15 Comments on Patriotism Year after Year

Patriotism never goes out of style, but don't use it for a cheap way to advertise, how about hanging a sign around the Statue of Liberty?

07/01/2008 10:55 AM by Darin Haughie (Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. (EWM))

Lol to Darin! Is Leonard's advertising really big? As in, does it shout at anyone who sees the flag? Or is it something that you can only really see when you're close to the flag.

Our HOA actually comes around and puts flags up around the 4th, which I don't mind. I'm just glad they don't advertise at the same time.

07/01/2008 10:59 AM by January Financial

Darin, There's nothing wrong with letting people know who put the flag in their yard.  It's not like he says "Call me when you wanna buy or sell."  He's just letting people know the flag was from the friendly flag guy.

Carey, No, you can't see the advertising from the street.  He punches holes in a small notecard sized piece of paper, and sticks the stick of the flag through it, and leaves that part down at the grass level so the flag blows in the wind by itself.  It's not shouting anything, except in my offended head that first year.

07/01/2008 11:02 AM by Donna Harris, ASP (Re/Max HiNet)

Personally I love the flags, but being in the military that is natural.  So the flags are becoming part of our advertising.

07/01/2008 11:05 AM by Joshua and Kathy Schmidt (Coldwell Banker Advantage Realty-Cabot)

Okay being the self-procliamed Patriotism patrol for Active rain, A small note card seems fine.( Okay just kidding about the Patriotism patrol thing people. ) Our HOA puts out flag on the lamp post and it looks great every year.

07/01/2008 11:11 AM by Darin Haughie (Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. (EWM))

Donna, I think at least some people remove their flags because they don't appreciate using this symbol for advertising someones services.  If the flag fairy showed up and planted them without the commercial, it might be fine. 

07/01/2008 11:15 AM by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company)

Joshua and Kathy, Thank you for your service.

Darin, THanks for your approval, I'm sure Leonard appreciates it! LOL

Patricia, Again, it's not really commercial.  We get new home owners in the neighborhood every year, about 8-10%, so it's good to let them know where the flags come from.  The notecard is easily removed since you just take the flag out of the ground, slip off the card, and put it back.

07/01/2008 11:30 AM by Donna Harris, ASP (Re/Max HiNet)

Joshua and Kathy, Thank you for your service.

Darin, THanks for your approval, I'm sure Leonard appreciates it! LOL

Patricia, Again, it's not really commercial.  We get new home owners in the neighborhood every year, about 8-10%, so it's good to let them know where the flags come from.  The notecard is easily removed since you just take the flag out of the ground, slip off the card, and put it back.

07/01/2008 11:31 AM by Donna Harris, ASP (Re/Max HiNet)

I think Leonard is just exercising his rights as an American businessman and in a patriotic and neighborly way. Especially that the card isn't obvious from the street I say all the more power to him!

God Bless America!

07/01/2008 10:19 PM by Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager (Home Star Staging)

I applaud Leornard for his effort to inject a bit more patriotism into July 4th and since he did it on his dime I have no problem with his getting some visibility for it.  I have seen businesses (including real estate agents) do the same thing around Halloween with Pumpkins on people's doorsteps too.  I actually think it's kind of nice and harmless.

07/01/2008 10:47 PM by Steve Shatsky - Dallas Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist (Keller Williams-Dallas City Center)

In my neighborhood, the Wood's Team from my Keller Williams office provides this service on every patriotic holiday.  I have learned to appreciate the act as well.  Speaking of patriotism, I posted a BLOG recently about the flag raising ceremony at the Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson.  Very moving ceremony!

07/02/2008 06:47 AM by Steve Homer (The HBH Group (Keller Williams affiliate))

Karen, Good seeing you. Thanks for stopping by.

Steve S, I know agent who do the pumpkins too, but I've never received one.

Steve H, "Learning to appreciate" means a lot.  I understand it can be very hard to appreciate what others do some times.

07/02/2008 08:40 AM by Donna Harris, ASP (Re/Max HiNet)

Donna - I take mine out. I served my country for 4 years at poverty level income and lost part of my hearing because of it. I don't need a little flimsy, tootpick flag stuck in my grass by the curb to share the local enthusiasm.

I especially don't need or appreciate a Realtor using the flag to mkt themsleves and make more money. Same thing with religion. If you want to be patriotic drive down to the local VFW and lend a hand, donate your time and spend some meaningful effort helping those that deserve it most. JMO.

07/02/2008 01:37 PM by Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals)

Greg, You're definitely entitled to your opinion.

07/02/2008 03:08 PM by Donna Harris, ASP (Re/Max HiNet)

Wish we had a Leonard Thomas here! 

07/02/2008 07:36 PM by Teresa Harris (Holbrooks Real Estate, Inc.)

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Real Estate Agent: Donna Harris, ASP (Re/Max HiNet)
Donna Harris, ASP
Dallas, TX
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This blog is to help educate Buyers and Sellers and even other Realtors across the country.  Each market is different and the way Real Estate is done is different.  Dallas Real Estate is completely different than California and Florida and everywhere else in between.  Some times there will be other things besides real estate as I like to rant and rave as much as the next!!  Come back often!

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