Is The Pavilion's Flag Flap Disrespecting Our Veterans?

Over the past month there has been a battle between and neighborhood residents who felt that the movie theatre was disrespecting our military veterans by not flying their American flag above the marquee according to US Flag Code.

A retired FDNY captain of Ladder Company 122 had repeatedly gone to The Pavilion to complain about how their flag .

However, The Pavilion and that flies as it should during the day and is properly illuminated at night. 

Why neighbors took issue with how the movie theatre was not adhering to US Flag Code is because their flag is on a one-block section of , , who lost his life while serving our country in Afghanistan as a Marine.

The feeling of disrespect neighbors felt, including Brennan’s father, Bill, was exacerbated not only by the flag’s proximity to Julian Brennan Way, but also how close it is to Bartel-Pritchard Square, which is dedicated to the eponymous veterans who lived in Brooklyn and died in World War II.

“It’s callous indifference to the veterans who that area is named after, my son included, and others,” Bill, who still lives in Park Slope with his wife, told Patch before the first flag was removed from its pole. “And it shows disregard for living veterans.” 

However, The Pavilion’s flag was flying in the rain two days last week, which is a violation of flag etiquette.

The movie theatre’s owner has not commented to Patch about how they are still not adhering to all the rules and regulations to fly an American flag after multiple requests.

Craig Hammerman, the district manager of Community Board 6 who helped rename Prospect Park West between 14th and 15th streets Julian Brennan Way, was disappointed to hear that the flag is still not being flown according to code. However, Hammerman said, we do live in free country. 

"…People will continue to cherish our flag and people will still scorn it," he said. "And the brilliance of our Framers ensures that both groups are protected. That's what makes America great.”

But not all Brooklynites took issue with the flag. Fred Urban, who was walking past the theatre on Friday, while our country’s banner was flying in the rain, did not think anything was wrong with how the flag was being treated.

“I do not see Julian Brennan Way as the epicenter of patriotism,” Urban said. “Also, I don’t care for the American flag. I don’t like the symbolic role it plays or its symbolic value, to me it doesn’t represent America and what our country stands for.”

What do you think: Was The Pavilion disrespecting our country’s veterans?