See previous coverage here, here and here.
Firefighter James Krapf has been reinstated after his two-day suspension for refusing to follow orders to remove all decorations from the outside of his locker, including an American Flag sticker. It was the flag sticker that brought the confrontation between Krapf and his boss, Chester City Fire Commissioner James Johnson.
Here are excerpts from Joelle Farrell’s latest story at Philly.com:
Firefighter James Krapf, 31, met with union officials and Fire Commissioner James Johnson as a group of 40 people – holding signs and waving flags – rallied in support of the firefighter outside Chester Fire Station No. 2.
It was unclear this morning if Krapf would receive backpay for the two days he was suspended. The 11-year veteran will return to work on Thursday.
Photo by Steve Skipton
After the meeting, Krapf said he was thankful for all the support he had received. Since Thursday, he said he had received calls and e-mails of support from across the country.
“It’s been overwhelming,” Krapf said.
Krapf was asked if there was any lesson to be learned from the incident.
“Guys are dying for what this flag represents,” Krapf said. “Say a prayer for the troops.”
The clash over the flag started as an attempt to quash arguments in the firehouse. Commissioner Johnson directed all 61 firefighters over the summer to clear the outside of their lockers after a black firefighter posted a cartoon that some found offensive.
One of those rallying outside the station said she felt compelled to drive six hours from Western Pennsylvania after she saw a story about the controversy on the Internet.
“It was absolutely ridiculous that anyone would find the flag offensive,” said Angela Lash, of West Finley. “A firefighter puts his life on the line to save other people and this is the thanks he gets.”
About 15 minutes after the meeting began, police cruisers and an ambulance were called to the station. No one would answer questions about their arrival as they left the session. An official said there would be a police report filed on the incident but offered no further information.
Also on STATter911 …
- American flag that had been on WWII vets coffin saved from burning home. Family is grateful to Colorado Springs firefighters. – February 18, 2011
- ‘Who are these evil teachers who teach your children, these evil policemen who protect them, these evil firemen who pull them from burning buildings? When did we all become evil?’ – April 1, 2011
- More on Philadelphia Fire Department burn policy. TV station talks to burned firefighters. – February 16, 2012
- Buffalo union president admits to decades long practice of firefighters buying & selling overtime. City has asked for state & federal investigation. – November 22, 2011
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So how do you use the US Flag Code to develop a policy regarding the display of stickers?? There is nothing in the US Flag Code that addresses stickers and, by definition, a sticker is not a flag… Hmmm….
A sticker RESEMBLING the American Flag is “just as good” as the flag itself. What’s with the Hmmm? If you really wanna go to that extreme…where will it STOP? BE American and BE PROUD!
Take it from President Rosevelt…..
“There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”..President Rosevelt!!
Well said SIR!!!!
Anything that displays the “American Flag” is to be treated as a representation of the Stars and Stripes and should be afforded the same respect as the traditional flag we display on a pole.
Thank God for those racial overtones to this story. Chester Firefighters, everything your Commisioner says is now ABSOLUTELY DEBATABLE, wooooo hooooo!!!!
Seriously though, I am glad the kid didn’t lose his job and the story is out of the media.
What a bunch of crap. What’s next??? Is he gonna disobey an order to go into a fire?? Or if his officer tells him to put his seat belt on??
He was given a direct order, he disobeyed the direct order, he gets suspended. Then he goes and runs to the press about this being a question of patriotism?? He was suspended for disobeying a direct order and he should NOT get his pay back. Period.
The proper thing to do would have been to obey the order, then file a grievance through his union to allow U.S. flag stickers on lockers. He only got away with this crap because of throwing the patriotism card out there.
Dave, sir, you are a dumb@$$. Spare us your regurgitations.