A Tribute to the American Flag in the South
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.
Greg Rivera is a Flag Ambassador in Georgia. Greg is a Business Process Effectiveness Manager who has been with Comcast for nearly 16 years and a member of VetNet for over a decade. We chatted with Greg about Operation Old Glory in advance of Flag Day.
Greg Rivera, a Comcast Business Process Effectiveness Manager and Flag Ambassador
What is your military background?
I am a proud veteran and served for eight years in the United States Marine Corps.
Why did you volunteer to be a member of Operation Old Glory?
Being a Flag Ambassador gives me a chance to continue to honor the flag past my military service.
What makes Operation Old Glory special or different than other programs at Comcast or even in your community?
We replace flags throughout the southern states, regardless of whether the resident or business is a customer or not. There is no cost to them for the flag replacement, so this is truly a way for us to give back to the community.
What does the American flag mean to you?
The American flag makes me proud of the people that make up this country and honoring our differences. Being in the military, I was able to see firsthand how members from different parts of the country and cultures came together and accomplished a common goal together.
Can you tell us about a memorable Operation Old Glory flag replacement?
The most memorable replacement for me would be the first flag replacement I did in Canton, Georgia. The homeowner was on vacation at that time, but three of their neighbors pulled up and started asking questions about the program. Turns out, they were all war veterans, and we all started sharing stories. We talked for an hour and a half about our military service.
Finally, if someone in your area wants to contact you about replacing a flag, how can they reach out to Operation Old Glory?
Southern residents and business owners who have a flag that needs to be replaced can send an email to CENBSR-Veterans_Network@cable.comcast.com. You don’t have to be an Xfinity or Comcast Business customer to request a flag replacement.
To learn more about VetNet and how Comcast supports the veteran community, check out these stories and watch the video below:
- Comcast Supports Veterans in Knoxville w/ Laptops & Lift Zone
- Free Haircuts for Military Community in Louisiana
- National Veterans and Military Families Month in the South at Comcast