80-year-old Marti Warren thought she was doing a good thing a little over a month ago when she booked a local Olive Garden restaurant in Oxford, Alabama, to host a Kiwanis club awards banquet. The chapter president got a rude awakening the night of the gathering, however, when restaurant staff refused to allow her to bring an American flag inside the restaurant.
Warren, who lived through World War II and was later part of her local desegregation movement, said, “This is not my country. This is not my country I grew up with.”
America is NO longer the “land of the free.” When you can’t even fly the American flag at a restaurant or in your front yard; that’s ridiculous. When people lay their lives on the line for this country and shed their blood and restaurants and apartment managers and lanlords tell them that they can’t fly the U.S. flag because it intimidates other people. Well, those people who don’t like the American flag can get the *uck out of our country. This country IS NOT for sale. Website: http://www.haasstrep68.com You have to be “brave” to be in this country because of Obumer and his juvenile delinquents, like Black Panthers and ACORN who try to intimidate you when you vote and when you go outside to take a walk. And the Police Dept. doesn’t even protect you. Go to website: http://www.haasstrep68.com
Screw em. Will NEVER step foot inside an Olive Garden again, regardless of how much we love the bread sticks and salad. They are OUT.
Exactly what I decided to do.
Great minds think alike.
Then I would suggest they open their eatery in another country. Doesnt the American money embarrass them?
Ditto! Think I don’t need to eat there after their stupid comment!
This is still America, we need to stop supporting this type of companies. We need to spread the word across this great nation it is PAST TIME to take back our country back. If these people do not like our flag or our freedom then leave our country. I will always fly my flag and no one is going to make me take it down.. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!! NO ONE ASKED THEM TO COME HERE.
DITTO,never again !!
Remember, Olive Garden is owned by General Mills, who, in addition to many grocery products, also own Red Lobster. Let’s see what kind of impact on their bottom line we can make. Also, as I recall, they have (or had) Italian Flags an part of their interior decorating. I guess that’s OK but an American Flag isn’t.
Just to clarify, General Mills no longer owns Olive Garden. Darden Restaurants is the parent company.
i will be another thing that Olive Garden will not have to tolerate in their dining room. I will go wherever I see an American flag being flown, not only outside, but in the dining room.
Oooscray oooyay Darden Company.
As much as I enjoy dining at Olive Garden and have done so many, many times over the course of my life, I will now speak with my wallet and avoid their business. Corporate policies like these must be challenged. They are wrong minded and speak louder than pure racist rhetoric. In addition, I am going to write Olive Garden corporate and express to them my complete and utter shame at the message they are sending by refusing to allow our country’s flag in their business. Stand up America!
same here, no more.
If enough people stop eating there, they would change their mind, its all about not offending all except Patroitic Americans!!
Won’t go there any longer!!!
I am with you all the way Sanderson. I hope others too are willing to make a small sacrifice of good food for the greater good of supporting this country and what it stands for. I am tired of trying to accommodate the whims of those who do not LOVE and appreciate what this country has been, is and hopefully will always be in the future. There IS NO greater country ever than the USA. And no we are not perfect but there is no nation. One of our greatest failures is the vast number of children we have allowed to be aborted. God forgive us.
I agee with you gramps, except for the “good food” part. Their food is not worth the trip to the restaurant. Aside from that, how can the un-American Olive Garden say it would disrupt the dining experience. No, it would make true AMERICANS PROUD and give us hope for our future since companies, restaurants, etc. are catering to the feelings of everyone except the Americans. This is insane. Why don’t you move your Olive Garden chain to a country in the Middle East or perhaps Mexico. That would be very interesting They would ravage your business and kill you because you are American, you fools.
THEY LOST ABOUT 40 OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, INSTANTLY. YES, THEY NEED TO GO TO SOME AMERICA HATING COUNTRY WHERE THEY BELONG BECAUSE THEY SURE DON’T LOVE AMERICA AND THAT IS EVIDENT. I WILL STOP EVERYONE I CAN BY TELLING THEM HOW OLIVE GARDEN THINKS THAT THE AMERICAN FLAG MIGHT BE DISRUPTIVE IN THEIR ANTI-AMERICAN “GREASY SPOON”.
Neither shall I darken their door step — that is unless it’s really late at night and I need a potty.
After all I’m kinda old and can’t hold things for long ya know.
I love Olive Garden, but that’s it for me. I will not patronize them again.
there are a couple or us on my street and we fly our flags all the time, not will tell me to take it down, the scum buckets.
That makes it easy. They won’t display an American flag, they won’t get my money. That is a no-brainer. I didn’t serve My Country to patronize a company that is ashamed of the American flag. Buh-Bye Olive Garden!
MY RESPONSE IS THAT THIS IS LEGITIMATE REASON TO BOYCOTT ALL OLIVE GARDENS & believe me this will be hard for me because I LUV their food and ambience but not NOT MORE THAN MY FLAG
LADYJ……………….I WILL NOT PATRONIZE ANY PLACE THAT WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR FLAG BEING DISPLAYED FOR ANY OCCASSION……………………WE HAVE TO MUCH OF THIS GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY,,,,,,,,,,,,YOU CAN”T PRAY AT FUNERALS FOR MILITARY………CHAPLINS CAN”T PRAY IN THE SERVICE…….WE CAN” SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ….WE CAN”T DISPLAY A FLAG ON OUR HOMES OR IN OUR YARDS IN SOME PLACES………,,,,,WHY NOT??????? I ASK…………………I DON”T FEEL THAT WE HAVE TO BOW DOWN TO SOME IDIOT …..THAT COMPLAINS …..OR SOME ONE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY BECAUSE IT AFFENDS THEM……THEY CAN GO TO H— AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED………THIS IS AMERICA AND WE ARE LOSING OUR FREEDOMS ONE BY ONE…………I WILL NOT STEP INTO OLIVE GARDEN AGAIN EVEN IF THEY HAD THE ONLY FOOD IN TOWN……….WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE AND BOYCOTTING WILL HURT THEIR POCKET BOOK
Right on Shirley. I just ate there last night and I sure wouldn’t have if I had known about this. I am going to warn all my friends, family, neighbors, enemies, strangers, co-workers, etc. wherever I go and I do get around. I’m sure all of heaven saw this. Oh Oh, poor Olive Garden.
Never will I go into another Olive Garden and I have forwrded their ant-flag(American) to my whole list 47 names and asked them to forward to their people on their email list.
The Darden Corporate consists of Olive Garden AND Red Lobster; we need to let them know what we think of their un-American policies!
Get the FACTS before doing stupid things, how difficult is it?? Go to their site, there is plain policy shown they don’t stop algs, take a small one with you and sit it on your taable. There are many liars and trolls using internet, be careful. Americans should be fair and honest, shouldn’t they??/ trolls have stirred up with LIES>
I fly the American Flag 24/7 at my home, in fact I have one on a 25ft high flag pole and another on a pole mounted on the side of my house. I dare anyone to come to my front door and tell me I can’t fly them. I can assure you that they will not like the reception that they will get from me.
October 14, 2011
Olive Garden President: “The American Flag Is Always Welcome.”
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —
Statement from John Caron, president of Olive Garden:
“To our friends and neighbors who may be concerned about whether or not guests can bring the American flag into Olive Garden, I want to assure you the American flag is always welcome in any of our restaurants. Anyone who wishes to bring the flag into our restaurants may certainly do so. I want to express my most heartfelt apology to anyone who has been offended by our mistake. The misunderstanding was purely a case of our corporate office giving incorrect information to one of our restaurants. We greatly regret that mistake and as a company we take responsibility for it. We are proud of our American roots and proud of our employees who are veterans and reservists, as well as all of our employees who serve their communities where they live and work. Olive Garden has nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the American flag and everything it symbolizes.”
Not good enough!
Good thing I can’t eat their food!
This should be mass email to all in the cities that have a Olive Garden. Marilyn
@Marilyn: What a good idea, why don’t you do it? Surely that list of email addies is available on the web: their corporate web site at least will list all the cities that have one, then even if you have to research it city by city it shouldn’t take more than an afternoon.
DEAR MARILYN: I WILL START TODAY.
SFC THOM, US ARMY AIRBORNE, RETIRED
Olive Garden has backpedaled: “It was a misunderstanding”.
Yeah riiiight. So was Dachau.
Nancy: Where did you hear that Olive Garden has backpeddled? You need to let us know because I will never go back there again and I go there quite often.
http://www.facebook.com/OliveGarden?ref=ts&sk=app_137575376272241 Here is their response.
NIKI!!!!!!!! YOU GO THERE OFTEN. WHY DO YOU EAT GARBAGE????? ARE YOU THAT POOR. I WILL SEND YOU SOME MONEY FOR SOME REAL FOOD.
SFC THOM, US ARMY, AIRBORNE RETIRED, GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
“Isn’t that just like a WOP ? He brings a KNIFE to a GUN fight !”
(“The Untouchables”)
B S!!!!!!!!!!
They don’t want to bankrupt
YOU CAN BET WE WILL NEVER EAT THERE AGAIN AND OLIVE GARDEN CAN STICK THEIR RESTAURANT WHERE TH SUN DON’T SHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Ditto to those sediments!
Me too neither, huh!!!!
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.
Without the aid of Vasoline too.
I have eaten there for the last time!
I will not go back there either and I lunch there frequently…. Love my country , love my Flag, or go back to Italy…..
I agree. I never liked them anyway, but still went with friends. Not any more. I’ll buy a ticket to send someone back to wherever they came from. Love it or leave it- support it and our flag or get out. I am so sick of being “politically correct”. Call it like it is- It totally un American to deny the flag to be flown anywhere on our soil. If the Muslims can’t deal with that, send them away, period. American needs to look out for America and stop supporting our enemies countries that want to see our downfall. Go to the polls and vote out all violators of the constitution that are in office. If they have dui’s, are behind on their taxes, spend our moncy extravagantly, kick them out. Take back America from the terrorists in our government. Olive Garden should loose their business.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO STOP….NOW….MORE AND MORE BS LIKE THIS EVERYDAY…STAND UP FOR THE GOOD OLE USA UNITED WE STAND ,,, DIVIDED WE FALL…DO NOT STAND FOR THIS TYPE OF BS GOD BLESS AMERICA
They have a right to disallow anything they want in their reastaurant and I have a right to avoid anyplace where my flag isn’t welcome.There are plenty of other fine reastaurants that serve food. Enough said.
Ditto. I have plenty of options for resturants. Sorry Olive Garden you lose another customer. Really stupid on t\your part. One flag in one section of the restaurant for a few hr. Guess you didn’t realize this isn’t the time to take a stand against honoring OUR flag. Obama has done enough of that and we are sick of it.
KIWANIS CLUB? Didn’t that manager have a clue that at EVERY meeting …The Kiwanis have ceremonies (as do MANY civic organizations) of “Pledge of allegiance to the flag”, and probably other items, such as “prayer”, etc., maybe other club flags displayed during their meetings…that he could have told them, when they FIRST asked to hold their meeting there…”We have policies, etc”…and given them adequate opportunity to schedule elsewhere? Evidently there was either a “lack of knowledge” or at least a lack of “communication” If I had been a part of the group, I would have just walked out of there!
I was just about to plan a private party for 25 people at the Olive Garden so I appreciate finding out about their disgracful problem with the American flag! We will NEVER darken their unAmerican door again…that is for sure!
BOYCOTT THE OLIVE GARDEN — THEY WANT OUR MONEY BUT – WELL LET THEM DO THEIR BUSINESS FROM NOW ON IN RUSSIA.
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! IRAN AND ANY OTHER RAG-HEAD COUNTRY.
TRUE AMERICAN CITIZENS WILL BOYCOTT OLIVE GARDEN AND BE SURE TO INFORM THEM THAT THE TRUE US CITIZENS WILL RUN THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.
SFC THOM-RETIRED, GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
Let’s not be so hasty folks. Was this an isloated incident or corporate policy. If corporate, then let’s decline to spend our hard earned $$$ there. If local, I’m sure that establishment will get the message. Don’t mess with our patroitism or you will suffer.
NOT REALLY, many more resturants around!
It IS Corporate Policy!!
Boycot, Inform Chamb Commerce & deny those resturants any of your business IF have same policy.
ALL chains, A-Z.
NO exceptions.
What upsets my meal is seeing Nobummer on the Clinton News Network…
whatever happened to cpl. manning???????
Goodbye, Olive Garden. I regret having given you refuge from the oppressors of Europe, and place to call home. Please feel free to move to another country, and take your business with you. We do not need traitors and cowards among us, and will tolerate those who disrespect us or our Flag. Take me off of your list of customers, and this goes for any other business in this nation who feels offended or afraid of our American Flag.
Goodbye Olive Garden you have joined ESPN Monday Night Football on my boycott list.
I totally agree about OG and will not be eating there again, but what happened on ESPN Monday Night Football.??? Did I miss something??.Do I need to boycott them also??pls let us know..
Yes they fired Hank Williams Jr for his Comment that Obama playing Golf with the Speakler of the House would be like Hitler playing Golf with the Preimer of Isreal. I happen to agree with Hank and ESPN can KMA.
Ignorance is running rapid! In America….Americans eating….and a flag will destroy the fat butt people who are overweight politically incorrect demigods!
Quote the raven,. “Nevermore!”
I’m all for boycotting ANY ESTABLISHMENT that doesn’t honor and respect the American flag that represents much sacrifice and bloodshed just so we can park our rusty dusty in a restaurant and (for now) order at our pleasure. I dare them to place our beloved flag at every restaurant!!!
I think I remember saving their butts in WWll… and remember news cllips of them lining their streets waving the American flag… How quickly they forget… France too……
Ditto. They won’t get any more of my business.
“If this is a Corporate Policy,then nothing less than a Flagpole in front of every store flying
Old Glory will be acceptable before we return!”
yep!
Agreed. I would be curious to know just how much business their one stupid move will end up costing them.
HEY INFIDEL!!!!!!!!
I BET IF IT WAS A RAG-HEAD FLAG OR THE RAINBOW FAG-FLAG BOTH WOULD HAVE BEEN WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS.
SFC THOM, US ARMY, AIRBORNE, RETIRED.
If Olive Garden and their sister restraurant Red Lobster feel this way about the Aemrican flag, then this old veteran will take his business to an eatery that is proud of this country! I am finished with this restraurant, this is pitiful-and people like you and me helped make profits!
I just informed my wife that we will never eat at either establishment ever again, period.
Remind me to boycott any and all Olive Garden restaurants! Their food isn’t very good, anyhow!
Olive Garden—What a group of hypocrites because they sure as Hell do not mind taking a customer’s money. Was this a corp decision or the thought of some moronic idiot manager. There should be absolutely no restriction upon where the American Flag is shown and anything else is a disgrace. My family dines at Olaive Garden at John Young Parkway and Osceola Parkway in Orlando Florida once every week. With an attitude such as what has been displayed they can count upon one less family. Would they take the same position if it were a Muslim Flag? Most likely not because cowarda always show their real colors when a decisin is needed.
I served to protect this country in the USAF and that goes for protecting our flag also against all enemy’s both foriegn or domestic. And both of my wife and I along with our friends will never forget this outrage.
I sent an email to the corporate office of Olive Garden/Red Lobster and asked if this was true. Also stated that the area that I live in is getting the two restruants in a few months and the people who live here are American flag lovers and their business may not do as well as they would like if that message gets out to the community. No answer – of course.
ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO.
I BET IF IT WAS A RAG-HEAD FLAG OR THE RAINBOW FAG-FLAG BOTH WOULD HAVE BEEN WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS.
SFC THOM, US ARMY, AIRBORNE, RETIRED.
Forget Olive Gardens……..This is American and American flag should be honered.As an American,my family, friends and relatives will boycott All the olive Gardens.And I come from a big family and I know plenty of people.They may not feel right now, but in the long run,they will feel it in their pockets.
Who runs the Olive Garden that that tells its employees that an AMERICAN CANNOT CARRY AN AMERICAN FLAG INTO THE RESTAURANT. So long Olive Garden, no more dinners for us.
HE IS BLACK CHECK IT OUT. MOST LIKELY WEARING HIS OBAMA TEE SHIRT. HE IS THE CEO EXECUTIVE OFFICER. CHECK IT OUT ON “CONTACT OLIVE GARDEN” ON YOUR SEARCH ENGINE
SFC THOM-RETIRED
AGAIN CHECK IT OUT GIBBY.
JUST PUNCH UP “CONTACT OLIVE GARDEN” AND GO TO LIST OF OFFICERS. SFC THOM- RET
We forgot to mention that if they are flying an American Flag that it should be taken down with the respect it deserves byone of our many Vetrens goups and not allowed to fly on their property.
Olive Garden does not have to worry about my vote. I vote with my wallet in corporate America.
Had this been a group of Iranians wanting to bring their flag in for their banquet, they probably would have bowed and helped them carry it inside. America is lost!!!
Suddenly Olive Garden does not sound so tasty anymore! Will dine elsewhere until I see a US flag flying there!
Olive Garden is now on my ‘Never eat at this place again”.
It would’ve been terribly upsetting to the staff who are all illegal aliens from Mexico and call this country ‘Other Mexico.’ If it had been a Mexican flag or an Italian flag, things would’ve been different but we have a new country that kowtows to third world nations.
IF IT WAS A RAG-HEAD FLAG, MEXICAN FLAG OR THE RAINBOW FAG-FLAG, THEY WOULD HAVE WELCOMED IT WITH OPEN ARMS AND BOWING AND KISSING IT. BYE BYE VOMIT GARDEN. TAKE YOUR BUSINESS OUT OF THIS COUNTRY.
SFC THOM-RET
Olive Garden your food sucked any ways shut the doors you piece of crap i am so scik of ass holes like this get the f11kut of the USA
I guess that terrorists do not distract from the dining experience.
So my American flag bothers you, and you can’t dine ….So sorry but I want to vomit when you come around me and your women are wrapped up in bed sheets and turbans on your heads and you stink like you have been sleeping with the goats. If you are so affended then go back where you crawled from. We don’t want your kind in our beloved country. I too will never step foot in an Olive Garden again
Whats the matter are my remarks toooo harsh??????
Count me in. Never eating there again. It is time to have a demonstration in front of their restaurants. Olive Garden can stick it.
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I am firmly against this article and all the histeria against it….I am a nam vet, and patroitric, but there is a TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING….A restraunt is designed to feed the max people and you have a bunch of NINNIES going there and their banners and flags, disrupting all the people near their circuis…..I would be offended if i had to eat at a nice rest. and have these NINNIES running their loud traps in my ear, and all the flags and banners….There is a place and time for everything under the earth, and sorry that is not the place….People GET A LIFE……
WHAT, then, is the purpose of allowing (even encouraging) GROUPS to hold their events AT an Olive Garden?
It’s not like they were going to hang floor-to-ceiling posters of Hitler, and hold Muslim Prayer sessions, five times during the evening…
WE have a life (and it HAPPENS to INCLUDE, God, Family and Country [including the flag])!
nothing wrong with the AMERICAN FLAG nothing in AMERICA! this is AMERICA, we had the dam mexicans trun our flag upside down under theirs and nothing is ever done. we have the assholes in the 3rd world countries that brun our flag, and no one speaks about it. obuma hides our flag when speaking in a college , i wander what the dam muslims would do if we brun their flag, the dam media would be all over it. AMERICA means nothing to the world anymore and obuma is making sure of it, for obuma is really in control of all the happenngs going on in this country, with soros pulling the strings you can bet on it!
OUTLAW…………………………BIG RESTURANTS HAVE BANQUET ROOMS AND THEY USUALLY DO NOT BOTHER THE OTHER PART OF THE RESTURANT.
This particular one didn’t have separate dining facilities according to the articles I read. So my question is why on earth they allowed reservations for a BANQUET????? Hello!!!!!! You know:ceremonies, speeches, clapping, Pledge of Allegiance. Never been to a Kiwanis banquet before but I have attended banquets. They aren’t exactly quiet.
Mr. I am not only a Nam Vet, but I continued to serve in the US Army long after I left Nam, and I honestly refuse to eat at any resteraunt that disrespect the Flag I served under the Flag that Covered my Fathers Coffin, one Uncle, my adopted Sons and that of my name sake cousin. I lost many friends in Nam, and I watched many others after 9/11 be buried under that flag. So let me tell you this much, for anyone to tell me that I cannot display the American Flag at their facility for even a short period of time is disrespectful of all those who gave the last full measure of love and devotion to this nation. I refuse to patronize Olive Garden and Red Lobster ever again no matter what they do in an effort to make up for their stupidity.
as a kiwanis meeting, the org had rented the room for the time period and as such they would be axactly like the local obummer party reps with their larger american flags, (used as props for propaganda, u know) for fund raising. I agree with all the above peoples responces, but we must also remember last week the main stream media (on the tv) said no to american flag lapel pins to be displayed. I have direct tv and I don’t need abc, nbc, or cbs. and you say?
OPEN LETTER to Olive Garden…
Congratulations, you have just GUARANTEED that neither I, now my family will EVER set foot in another Olive Garden, as long as I live!
Period.
Hello, Macaroni Grill!
OLIVE GARDEN “Back-Peddles” ?
“Isn’t that just like a WOP ? He brings a KNIFE to a GUN fight !”
(“The Untouchables”)
Reply
I am thinking that this article has been blown all out of porp., and this writer is playing on the intelligence of you Pro Flaggers, Come hell or high water….there is no need for this kind of response,….Olive G. is not descritation the flag, their policy is that it is a place for people to come and dine, and have a pleasent even…..not go home with a headache from a bunch of Chanters, chanting about their pet peeve…..Rent a hall for ths kind of hooraaing….and leave me to dine in peace….
go back to what ever you were doing before, and shut the he– up!
Such a small mind, a real midget, mental midget that is…You may think you are a real intelligent , but i think you are brain dead.
The part where you said ‘I think’…that was you kidding us, right?
You will have PLENTY of space to DINE, after we BOYCOTT them back to PAPER PLATES & PLASTIC KNIVES, FORKS, & SPOONS or the GO OUT OF BUSINESS ! ! !
DARDEN Restaurants has PARTNERED UP with MICHELLE OBAMA . . . Enough said, BOYCOTT ! ! !
…’leave you to dine in peace’. Really? I thought that is what we did when we won WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan…How would you like to find out what dining ‘in peace’ might be like without those ‘wins’ in our column dumb*ss?
It’s folks like you who continue to ‘not get it’ who have allowed others to dump this country in the cesspool it finds itself in.
HEY OUT LAW NAM VET::: WHERE WERE YOU IN VIETNAM, AND WHAT WAS YOUR MOS????
SSG THOM- USMC VIETNAM
QUANG NAM-QUANG TRI
HEY DUMB ARSE OUTLAW!!!!
ARE YOU EATING YOUR OWN FECES AGAIN AND WASHING IT DOWN WITH THE KOOL-AID FROM OBAMA’S JOCK-STRAP. YOU’RE A MORON.
ARE YOU WEARING YOUR OVOMIT TEE SHIRT??? GO BACK TO YOUR P O R N, WINFREY, SPRINGER, WHOOPIE, POVICH AND THE REST OF THAT ILK. THIS SITE IS FOR FOLKS WITH INTELLIGENCE SFC THOM, US ARMY AIRBORNE, RETIRED
I am an American and the USA Flag is the symbol of my country. I can’t place my flag in your restaurant: fine, I won’t take my money their either. Good bye.
BOYCOTT ! BOYCOTT ! BOYCOTT !
AND BOYCOTT SOME MORE. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU INFORM OLIVE GARDEN.
THANX, SFC THOM-RETIRED
DESTROY PROGRESSIVES and those who “LIE DOWN WITH PROGRESSIVES” . . . BOYCOTT ! ! !
Olive Garden will not get another red cent from this household!
I believe that the same corporation that owns Olive Garden also owns Red Lobster.
In any event, the Lee family will not be frequenting any eatery that suggests that the most beautiful flag in this world would “disrupt a dining experience.” Maybe for Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, Vladimir Putin, Ahmadinejad, but none of us are dining where they go anyway.
Olive Garden management is full of crap! We should all boycott such places!
It is ignorant and just plain foolish for the Flag, patriotism, faith in God or being a true American offends anyone…if it does, they are in the wrong country and ought to get out…we have no tollerance for anti-Americnaism any more! If my nation, my rights and my faith bother you ; TOUGH!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! AND I SALUTE THE FLAG ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYWAY!!! AN I SHALL NOT BE EATING AT OLIVE GARDEN ANYMORE!! THEY HAD BETTER CHANGE THEIR MINDS!!
This article is true. I live just a few miles from the Olive Garden and yes, this is an obscene gesture to America and Americans that allowed them to be here in the first place, fighting for freedom, then they (Olive Garden) wants to take it (freedom) away.
This is not just some banner or group flag or membership flag. It is the AMERICAN FLAG and “Anyone” that has a problem with it, whether on private or public property should swiftly be deported to “where ever”, I do not care where, but they do NOT Deserve to be in America, partake of the freedoms fought and died for by the blood of our fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. I say get them out of America since this is their policy (Olive Garden and all of it’s other restaurants such as Red Lobster, Longhorn, etc)
I see Mexican restaurants with Mexican flags and on and on, just as long as it is Not an American flag. Olive Garden, you do not want the flag, then you do not Deserve the freedoms it stands for, which means- GO HOME, GET OUT and I do not care how many jobs are lost, someone will open a restaurant that serves good food AND respects the flag, America and it’s veterans!!
I am a Veteran of the Viet Nam war, 2 tours of duty, Oct. 66 to June 68,…and i do not go to a public eatery to have a bunch of loonies carrying on a meeting and waving flags, and marching around the tables….Go and do your chanting some where outside, where you can fly the flag….and allow me to eat in peace….what a mob of rednecks….and some of these comments …deport me???? i was never imported, you stupid idiot….I wish some of you losers would go back and finish grade school…
The the management shouldn’t have been so greedy as to agree to rent the space for a BANQUET!!!! Most establishments have fees for things like this. Banquets aren’t quiet. They were wrong in agreeing to this in the first place and then not letting the Kiwanis know about the flag and banner rule up front.
Seriously, you think the Kawanis are a bunch of ‘redneck loonies’? Who needs to finish grade school here? My goodness if you spent two tours in Nam, you ought to have a better idea of what is going on than what you reveal. Thank you for your service, but you didn’t seem to learn what it was you were fighting for…that is a true tragedy.
HEY OUTLAW,
WERE YOU KISSING ON HANOI JANE FONDA WHEN YOU WERE THERE. WHICH I DOUBT IF YOU WERE. WHAT WAS YOUR MOS AND WHERE WERE YOU???
SSG THOM-USMC QUANG NAM-QUANG-TRI
Outlaw, I am a Nam vet, First Cav Division (AM) 65-66, I have an Uncle who served in Korea during the Korean Conflict, My Father Served in the Army in WW2, I had an Adopted Son who was in the Air Force in Afghanistan, and a Name sake Cousin who served in the Army in Iraq. All of them were buried under that flag. So take your BS elsewhere your a disgrace to all Nam Vets.
They might have a good argument about disruption – I would be extremely disruptive if I saw a Zazi flag flying in the dining room. But there is no excuse for banning the US Flag. Enjoyed Olive Garden years ago but not so much lately and after this I would lose all appetite walking into one. Good by – Good riddance.
What other establishments are in their group? We should boycott them all………
Wow, well it’s good to know that you people are passionate about something. However, I fail to see your point: if Olive Garden allows the Kiwanis Club to display a banner, then they have to allow anyone else who eats there to fly whatever banner they want.
Do you really want to see a Gay Pride or Satanist banner while you’re eating your dinner? I didn’t think so. So, to prevent that they have to tell everyone to leave the banners at home. Or they will get sued. That’s the reality of the situation. Olive Garden is just complying with the law the best they can.
Randy, go to Arlington National Cematary in VA and count the Grave stones, then go to Gettysburg PA and do the same. Check out the number of Men and Women who have served and were buried under the American Flag you just might begin to understand why so many of us are truely passionate about how our Nations Colors have been abused and disrespected by places like Olive Garded.
Our flag is special. It should be respected and welcomed everywhere. Goodbye, Olive Garden.
I am from the Dominican Republic, came to America when I was very young, served in the United States military and I very proud of America and the American Flag. as for me and my family we will never set foot again at Olive Garden unless they clearly show they
made a mistake and apologize or place a pole in front of their restaurants with the American Flag. That’s all
My husband and I had already decided to not go to the Olive Garden after their parent company teamed up with Michelle Obama. This incident simply shows how deeply this restaurant chain is in bed with the progressive movement. My dad was a WWII vet and I’m actually grateful that he is not here to see what is happening in our beloved country. I just ordered the book, “The Black Book of Communism,” and I suggest that each of you get a copy before it disappears. We have a flag flying in our front yard. This flag represents the greatest Republic to ever exist. Please return to referring to our nation as a republic. No where in the founding documents is democracy mentioned. Our founding fathers knew that democracy always leads to tyranny and mob rule.
Time to stand up for our great nation and put an end to this “political correct” BS. Not only will I never go there again, I am forwarding this to all in my address book – over 1500 – and I am checking with my broker, if their stock is in my personal protfolio or my IRA accounts it will be immediately sold. Time for the great middle to get a stiff spine and take care of our children, grand children, etc. so they have the same opportunities this country was founded on and we have enjoyed to make the USA the greatest country on our planet! Inform all of your family friends, Olive Garden is going to loose big time. Money talks, #___ walks and this Bull$___ (Olive Garden) is going to the barn yard ASAP!!!!!!!
When the power of the consumers is put to tasks…the supplier will do either very well or very poor. Well…Olive Garden made a mammoth mistake and tramped on our patriotic nerves today! Wonder how many dining reservations were cancelled? Must be quite a bit for them to back peddle and issue an apology on their home page about the stars and stripes. As for me, there will not be another penny spent within that restaurant chain!
Too late for “apologies” as far as I’m concerned. It would just be pandering and more pc bs! They said it, they meant it! Who do they think we are??? Euro peons?
Personally I respect thier values and in keeping with that I will never embarress them with my American currency or my American credit card. I wish them the best of luck (not really) in whatever country they decide to relocate to.
Needless to say, I will never eat there again! Its to late to back pedal! Once is enough!
There are many better Italian Restaurants around here!
Shame, and I like the food at Olive Garden, too. But they can kiss this customer goodbye.
I just sent this message to the Corporate headquarters. The following restaurants are uner the Darden Corporation: Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52.
“I am writing to inform you that due to the policy of your Company to not allow a civic service organization to bring an American flag into your restaurant in Oxford, AL. you can count us as FORMER customers of your portfolio of restaurants.
If your restaurants are too good to accommodate the American flag then I as a lowly citizen am not good enough to grace your premises. I am so happy to learn of your policy before I contributed any more of my hard earned savings to your business.
You see as a 75 year old American I have known MANY men and women in my life who shed their blood or gave their life so that the AMERICAN Flag can fly freely in our Country. I can not soil their honor by patronizing your restaurants.
It appears that the Olive Garden knows about as much about the clients they serve and customer service as they do Italian food. Close your doors Olive Garden; you give Italian food a bad name and your lack of patriotism is showing!
I like Olive Garden, but they just lost me, my family, my friends who I lunch with, as customers. Shame on them!
Well this East Coast Italian knows real Italian food and Olive Garden was not even second rate! It was okay, nice atmosphere, but I will never set foot in one of their establishments again! Maybe they can cater to a better, more “correct” clientele now, like the Wall Street Protestors. Let’s see if those big spenders can keep them afloat. I think we’ll be seeing boarded up gardens within twelve months. Anyone disagree?
I’m Italian born from parents who came here many years ago and loved America. Taught them-selves the language and raised us to be proud of this country. I make better Italian food than Olive Garden could ever hope to make, but I would still go there once in a great while. No more! Don’t tread on my country or its flag! So who needs you Olive Garden-I sure don’t! We all need to boycott our businesses that don’t stand behind our nation in anyway at all.
OLIVE GARDEN GO #$&@ YOURSELF !
I HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU PEOPLE ….. EMAIL OLIVE GARDEN WITH THIS LINK …. GIVE EM HELL !
https://m.olivegarden.com/m/www.olivegarden.com/mobile_feedback?hd=Contact%20Us
GOT IT AND THEY WILL BE HEARING FROM ME!!!!!!!!
SFC THOM, US ARMY, AIRBORNE, RETIRED. ALSO 4 YEARS MARINE CORPS- 66 TO 70.
I DID JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO.
THANX, SFC THOM-RETIRED
I BET IF IT WAS A RAG-HEAD FLAG OR THE RAINBOW FAG-FLAG BOTH WOULD HAVE BEEN WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS.
SFC THOM, US ARMY, AIRBORNE, RETIRED.
Pingback: No more Italian for me.......... - NotInKokomo.Com
I heard that a hostess said this without the okay from the company. I heard they apologised and ran a “misunderstanding” statement. I’m checking my local by calling them, and if you can’t fly the flag, I won’t eat there. I am about boycotting anybody who thinks our American values aren’t good enough anymore. I’m sure my nickel won’t be missed, whatja think?
It is in fact Corporate Policy, I watched and listened to what they told Mrs Warren on the phone not knowing they were on live TV.
Screw the Darden Company I will not do business with any anti American company.
It’s time real Americans stand up to these back stabbing traitors that are trying to take over our country. You socialist b turds have not yet seen the fury of real patriotic Americans when we
are fighting for our freedom and our country.
Olive Garden as well as Red Lobster (Associated Restuarant) has lost my confidence. You know what riding the fence does? Gives you blisters. I will certainly take my money to those who patriotically and openly support our flag, country, constitution and heritage. So sorry OG, we really liked your food and service.
Yeah, wouldn’t want to distract anyone from the never-ending Pasta bowl, would we?
Up yours, Olive Garden, hope you enjoy the sight of empty tables on a Friday night.
Olive garden will never recover due to this insult to America.Wonder who has this franchise?
And to think we were planning to spend lots of money on an anniversery dinner there.
My ass and their chair will never meet again. And I eat there several times a month. Sure gonna miss them.
The Olive Gardens food leaves alot to be desired ….. The dining experience is like that of full service Mac Donalds ….. No problem folks…. I do not see myself at a Olive garden restaurant any time soon…. if my flag offends someone eating there THATS TS ….
ALL OUTSTANDING POSTS ON THIS SITE EXCEPT FOR COMMIE LOVING: OUTLAW JOSIE WALES. WHO SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME TRYING TO KISS HANOI JANE FONDA’S DARK PLACE THAT STINKS.
SFC THOM-US ARMY AIRBORNE, RETIRED. 4 YEARS USMC, VIETNAM VET- TOTAL SERVICE 25 YEARS
olive garden, no more for me. career retired MARINE.
Semper Fi SGM From the Army.
Olive Garden should be ashamed of themselves. Even though they apologized the damage is already done. Their food is “fake” Italian crap anyway. I know, I am of Italian origin and after eating there twice, never again.
I will never eat there again!
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DARE TO DISPUTE ME. sargee7@honduras.com
SFC THOM, US ARMY, AIRBORNE, RETIRED
Without a doubt, I have had my last meal at Olive Garden!
IF IT WAS A RAG-HEAD FLAG, MEXICAN FLAG OR THE RAINBOW FAG-FLAG, THEY WOULD HAVE WELCOMED IT WITH OPEN ARMS AND BOWING AND KISSING IT. BYE BYE VOMIT GARDEN. TAKE YOUR BUSINESS OUT OF THIS COUNTRY.
SFC THOM-RET
Why would the American Flag disrupt any one? This is America, it is our flag, we pledge allegiance to the flag. Well in my America we do and I will never darken the Olive Gardens door again, they are no longer part of America that I love.
This is another example of media lies and hogwash, go to olive gardens site and read their policy on flag use. Not sure who desires to spread lies, but we need to hold ALL media accountable, until you report truths shut up.
azwayne, listen real close to what the Darden Company told Mrs Warren on the phone whale the TV Station was at her home and she was being interviewed there was and is no mistake, except for Darden Company.
My family and I will no longer be eating at the Olive Garden…… MINUS 22 customers.
Um, I’m not against displaying the flag and would proudly display it anywhere BUT, INSIDE the restraunt? Most Olive Gardens I’ve been in are very crowded and not much room. I see no problem for them saying no to the flag inside. Hopefully there was one flying outside.
Greg, the Flag was to be in a Seperate Banquet Room inside of the Olive Garden Rest. It would not have been out where everyone else was eating.
Another family of 6 will never set foot at the Olive Garden; and will forward this video to my email database of 5000.
I stopped eating at OG YEARS ago when I found out their parent company gives money to Planned ExParenthood. This is just another good reason to eat elsewhere.
Hey Olive Garden…read my lips…I will never do business with you or any other companies you own! You have no respect for the USA nor the flag nor anyone that has fought and died for that flag! THE AMERICAN FLAG IS NOT A DISRUPTION, IT IS A SYMBOL OF HOW YOU ARE ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN THE UNITED STATES!!!!!!
I’ll wager that if the group brought a Mexican flag into the place they would allow that.
Olive Garden is the K-mart of Italian food. Save yourselves the money and just go to the frozen foods section of your market and buy one of those ‘Italian’ meals. It is the same crap.
Boycott, boycott, boycott.
olive garden can KMA. when they decided to take orders from michelle obama re their menu was bad enough. now this. its easy to say mea culpa after you’ve been offensive and made your point. they will not be missed when they go belly up. bad decisions, OG.
If it were the last restaurant on a long trip, it’s my intention to skip stopping at the Olive Garden. Providing flag pins to their employees, that can barely be seen is not enough. What’s Olive Garden’s problem with The United States of America flag being displayed in a room that was separated for an event? Other patrons in the restaurant would have probably saluted the flag or been happy to see it displayed with the citizens who were holding a meeting there. I would have recited the pledge of allegiance along with them if I could hear them from where I was sitting. Don’t bother though. An apology is not enough to slap Uncle Sam right in the face, on American soil, the Land of the Free and the Brave!