The more I thought about it, the more it upset me. So, I fired off this email. Hopefully it will be seen by someone.
"To whomever this may concern:
I truly hope that this reaches someone who cares about this, and might actually do something.
I just received this email, regarding "Celebrating Pride". Really? Just two days after Memorial Day? And, coincidentally...there was no email from the VA Canteen Service on Memorial Day, mentioning anything about Memorial Day! So, is it the notion of the VA Canteen Service that LGBTQ Pride is substantially more important, and more deserving of "pride", than is Memorial Day?
Additionally...it infuriates me to see the "Stars and Bars" ribbon, which obviously is representative of our most revered Flag of these United States...morphing into the LGBTQ rainbow ribbon! Seriously? This is someone's idea of proper treatment of a ribbon which represents our national symbol? Personally...I believe that whomever thought this was a valid idea, and okayed such a horrid message, should be terminated from their position.
I don't particularly care that it's an LGBTQ/Gay Pride ribbon (though, admittedly...it doesn't thrill me)...it could be a pink Cancer Awareness ribbon, or whatever worthy cause...that doesn't justify morphing the stars and bars into whatever your "cause de jour" may be. Does anyone there have the slightest bit of honor, or national pride? It's bad enough that commercials and ads use the flag to advertise everything from used cars to deodorant, condoms to hemorrhoid cream...but is it too much to ask for an entity which serves the Veteran community to display just a tiny bit more dignity than this?
IMHO, this email brings shame to the VA Canteen Service, as well as the VA Health Care System. I would very much appreciate receiving some sort of response to this message.
Thank you,
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx