Exploitation of the AMERICAN Flag!

Exploitation of the American Flag!
By Steve William Sanson

Most of us call ourselves patriots.

I believe there is a different kind of patriotism when you serve your county in the United States Military.

I believe this patriotism is stronger for those whom have seen their fellow serviceman and or woman die in combat and for those who place their own lives in danger for the honor to fly the American Flag.

It is my perspective that many Americans take our freedoms for granted when Americans do not vote or get involved in the community. Some Americans have strong opinions and may complain yet do not take a part in community and do not vote.

The American flag brings back a lot of personal memories for me. I am sure each of us has our own meaning around the American flag due to our own experiences in America. I personally do not believe the American flag should be commercialized and used for financial gain.

The American flag represents all fighting men and women who have spilled their blood and gave their lives. I hold the flag to a higher standard and I do not know what I would do if I saw someone burn the flag.

The American flag has flown for over 232 years. Millions of Americans have given their life for the American flag.

The American flag represents integrity, honesty, patriotism, freedom, self sacrifice, and many other words of a true American.

I would like to know what value most Americans place on the American flag.

1) Would you have the American flag touch the ground?

2) Would you be OK with someone burning the American flag in protest?

3) Would you allow a radical group to fly the American flag (groups of terror and/or racists)?

4) Would you allow a business to fly the American flag that lacks integrity and mix words to go above a City Ordnance by making a false promise of a veteran memorial to gain the Las Vegas City Council vote?

On May 3, 2006, Towbin Hummer came before the Las Vegas City Council for 140 foot flag pole 100 feet higher than current city ordnance. The purpose was to gain the support of the seven bodies of the City Council.

Towbin added that they would do a memorial at the base of the flag pole. In Addition, Towbin indicated that they would do this memorial in conjunction with the Las Vegas Centennial and they would make arrangements with Nellis Air Force Base to use their Color Guard in the celebration and they would invite Las Vegas Mayor Goodman to officiate over the memorial.

Towbin made reference that they would want a Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Hummers they sell are used by the brave men and women of our military. There is a problem with this statement HUMMERS were never used in the United States Military although HUMMVEES were used in the military. The difference between HUMMERS and HUMMVEES are their engines. HUMMERS are gas used and HUMMVEES are diesel and not to mention HUMMERS plush interior. HUMMVEES were never used during Vietnam era and were not used until Desert Storm era a 30 year gap.

Towbin also made more statements by indicating if they could not have approval for the 140 foot flag pole "they would rather have nothing." Towbin compared themselves with Terrible Herbst flag poles, but the differences are that Terrible Herbst are in compliance with the City Ordnance and never made any promise of a memorial.

Towbin also made mention that if any surrounding neighbors complained they would take the flag pole down. The city has received several e-mails and letters from surrounding neighbors complaining about the noise of the American flag when it whips in the wind and they also showed up at the City Council meeting in protest of the noise on May 16, 2007, for Towbin's status check and review.

I came before the City Council on May 16, 2007, and this is my statement:

"Steve Sanson, President of Veterans In Politics-6455 Dean Martin Drive>

Everyone has the right to fly the American Flag and that right belongs to all Americans.

We are proud that Americans would want to honor and pledge allegiance to our flag.

Our Flag has been flown proudly from the Revolutionary War to present day over 232 years.

We do not have an issue with the flying of the American Flag.

The applicant stated over 12 months ago on May 3, 2006, that in addition to the American Flag there will be a memorial at the base of the flag pole in honor of our Veterans.

We are here to tell you that there is no memorial at the base of this flag pole.What disturbs us is the exploitation of Veterans (our men and women fighting and dying for our right to a free nation) being used for selfish financial gains.

Veterans give their lives for selfless reasons.

The Veterans should not be exploited to gain the compassionate and sympathetic hearts of the general public and this City Council.

Thank you and Semper Fidelis (Meaning Always Faithful)"

Towbin argued that the memorial was not part of the conditions, but staff pointed out that it is part of the conditions any statements made on record is part of the conditions.

Towbin argued that the City dropped the ball and did not give them their six months review. Is this not the responsibility of Towbin to find out when the six month review was to take place?

This actually gave Towbin another six months to follow through with the memorial.

Towbin argued that they did not want to spend the money on a memorial because they did not know if they would be able to keep the 140 foot flag pole.

That's funny because they could have put in a temporary memorial waiting for the final approval. Further more if this was true the flag pole is more expensive to put in then the memorial, this sounds like an excuse to me.

After all parties have spoken Las Vegas City Councilman Reese agreed that Towbin used the American Flag for financial gain, and was upset that the memorial was not put in.

Las Vegas City Councilman Wolfson indicated that Towbin had significant time to have a memorial in place.

Las Vegas City Councilwoman Tarkanian indicated that she is responsible to her constituency and quoted Towbin on many occasions in regard to what was said showing the taping of their meeting in 2006. Councilwoman Tarkanian asked that Towbin work with the Veterans In Politics for their impute on the memorial, and mentioned that they could re-file for a 75 foot flag pole.

Las Vegas Mayor Goodman indicated that he would like to see a memorial by Towbin working with the Veterans in Politics and Towbin had 60 days to take the current flag pole down. If Towbin did not take the current flag pole down within the time allotted the Mayor stated 'he would do it for them.'

This is the letter that I sent to Towbin's attorney David Chestnoff and Las Vegas City Councilwoman Tarkanian:

"On May 17, at around 5PM I received a call from Mr. Carl Marcello requesting that I contact his associate Sheila Rappai and give her my contact information, regarding the City Council's recommendation that the Veterans In Politics have impute on the memorial.

However, Mr. Marcello indicated to me that the plaque and the memorial was a done deal (indicating the Veterans input were not necessary).The following morning on May 18, I contacted Ms. Rappai about 9AM.

I wanted to comply with the City Council's recommendation. Ms. Rappai received my contact information and E-mailed me the wording that was going to be on the memorial at 6PM the same day.

On May 23, I received a phone call from Mr. David Chestnoff wanting to meet me. We met at 1030AM at my office on Dean Martin Drive. I was unsure if I should talk to him, because he indicated at the City Council that he was no longer representing Towbin Hummer.

In any event he assured me that he will represent Mr. Towbin if necessary and we arranged a meeting at 7PM to have my members meet him and Mr. Marcello at Towbin Hummer to discuss what was going on the memorial the same day.

The Veterans In Politics appeared with five members and we indicated that we would like a phrase made by General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the battle of D-day, the phrase would say:

"You Are About To Embark Upon The Great Crusade Toward Which We Have Striven These Many Months. The Eyes Of The World Are Upon You... I Have Full Confidence In Your Courage, Devotion To Duty And Skill In Battle"

We thought this phrase would be more appropriate than what was sent to us by Ms. Rappai. Another member indicated that he would like to see a statue of a helmet on top of an M16 A2 service rifle next to a pair of combat boots.

When I asked Mr. Marcello when the finish product would be done he indicated to me that if we use his wording it would be done by Memorial Day and he was waiting for my response from his initial phone call and I slowed down the process... I stated that he told me it was a done deal the last time we spoke.

I indicated that we would rather have the wording we provided. Mr. Marcello explained that it would be after Memorial Day, but Mr. Chestnoff indicated that he would make it happen.

We also asked about the statue of the M16/helmet/combat boots and we were told that this would take some time, maybe 8 weeks.

Mr. Marcello indicated that the memorial that is currently at the base of the flag pole is a temporary memorial and a permanent one would be constructed shortly. Depending if the City Council approves their Reconsideration.

On May 24 at 9AM, I received a phone call from Mr. Chestnoff indicating that they would move forward with the wording provided by the Veterans In Politics.

When asked about the Color Guard, Mr. Chestnoff indicated that they were not sure if they could use the Color Guard from Nellis Air Force Base. I indicated that I could find out the availability of the Marine Corps League Color Guard if I was given an exact date and time.

We appreciate that Towbin Hummer is moving forward on the City Council's recommendation and at this juncture they are cooperating to see this project through.

However, we are not willing to give our opinion on any other aspects of this project at this time."

Although Mr. Chestnoff fired back with a response rebutting everything that was mentioned in my letter. I did not expect anything different from my experience with this Applicant so far.

I believe their was no follow through with Towbin Hummer and that they are in disbelief that the Las Vegas City Council voted 7-0 for them to take down the flag pole and re-file for a 75 feet flag pole.

When an Applicant appears before the Las Vegas City Council and makes statements to the Council to gain their vote they better follow through or face the consequences.

Especially when you are dealing with the nations flag.

Do not take my word for it watch agenda item 110 at http://lasvegas.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=88 and see for yourself.

The Las Vegas City Council members are all very patriotic they do not have time to baby-sit an Applicant.

They are very thorough, they work long hours, and they are very committed to the City of Las Vegas.

E-mail: SteveWSanson@cs.com phone 702 283 8088Website: www.VeteransInPolitics.com.