A Tribute to the American Flag in Michigan
Operation Old Glory is a unique initiative started by military veteran employees at Comcast to honor our nation’s symbol and people’s individual connections to the American flag in the communities we live in and serve. Through Operation Old Glory, our dedicated teammates work together to retire and replace worn or damaged flags outside homes and businesses, free of charge. Any home or business is eligible for the program, not just those that subscribe to our services.
Members of Comcast’s Veterans Network (VetNet) Employee Resource Group (ERG) launched Operation Old Glory in 2017. VetNet connects active military, veterans, military family members, and military supporters within our company. VetNet, like all Comcast ERGs, is open to all employees. Operation Old Glory’s Flag Ambassadors volunteer to retire and replace flags within their local communities. This simple but meaningful act of service honors people’s personal connection to the flag.
Brian Howard and James Toon are both Flag Ambassadors. Brian is an Installation and Service manager in Michigan who has been with Comcast for over 17 years and a VetNet member for a decade. James started his career at Comcast almost 20 years ago and is an Installation and Service supervisor. James has been a member of VetNet for five years and resides in Indiana. We chatted with Brian and James about Operation Old Glory in advance of Flag Day.
Brian Howard, Comcast Installation and Service manager and Flag Ambassador
James Toon, Comcast Installation and Service supervisor and Flag Ambassador
What is your military background?
Brian: I have been a Navy reservist for the last 20 years and am currently serving at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
James: I have served 12 years in the Indiana National Guard.
Why did you volunteer to be a member of Operation Old Glory?
Brian: In 2020, we were on a national VetNet call and someone shared this flag replacement program that had been going on out east and I thought, “That is so cool. We have to do it.” I’m happy to have helped spread Operation Old Glory to Michigan and beyond.
James: I thought it was a great way to honor our country and give back to the community. It seemed like a meaningful opportunity to make a positive impact.
What makes Operation Old Glory special or different than other programs at Comcast or even in your community?
Brian: It’s special because it is so authentic. It’s not for sales or promotion but for building connections and investing in our community.
James: What makes Operation Old Glory unique is its true dedication to serving the community. This program is special because it’s open to everyone in the area, whether you’re a customer or not.
What does the American flag mean to you?
Brian: The flag is a symbol of unity and pride to me. Operation Old Glory enables me to share that unity and pride with my neighbors. The unity of our country and company within the communities that allow us to serve them is powerful. We build connections when we hear stories of why people fly their flags and how the small gesture of replacing it makes them feel pride. Pride in their family members or their own service, or pride for the honor that they have had to be part of a country that provides opportunity to grow and be safe and happy.
James: To me, the American flag represents freedom, unity, and the country’s values. It’s a symbol of the nation’s history, sacrifices, and progress; it also evokes feelings of patriotism, pride, and belonging.
Can you tell us about a memorable Operation Old Glory flag replacement?
Brian: I was driving in a rural area, and I saw a home with a huge flag that was in very bad shape. When I knocked on the door, I was able to connect with the homeowner. He was from Afghanistan. He and his family moved here after the start of the war. He told me that his son had just turned 18 and joined the military. Our shared respect for the flag and his son’s and my own military background connected us and led to that interaction.
James: I had the honor of replacing a flag for a Korean War veteran in Greenfield, Indiana. He reminded me of my grandfather who also served in the Korean War and passed away a couple of years prior. What struck me was their shared experience as airborne combat medics – he was part of the 101st, while my grandfather served with the 82nd. What really resonated, though, was when he said, “There’s no reason to jump out of a perfectly good airplane” – the exact phrase my grandfather used to say. We spent over an hour talking about his experiences, and he expressed his heartfelt gratitude for Operation Old Glory. He mentioned that raising and lowering the flag had become challenging due to his age and the condition of the flagpole.
To learn more about VetNet in Michigan, check out this story: National Veterans and Military Families Month in Michigan at Comcast.