jrutter@lnpnews.com
Kenneth Burkholder is perplexed.
His business, Good's Store Inc., is one of hundreds of Amish andMennonite stores that do not sell American flags.
Nobody's singling out the other places.
But Good's is under fire. Again.
The sender of a recent mass e-mailing claimed that a young,unnamed Good's sales clerk "wrinkled her nose" in disdain whenquizzed about flag sales.
"We don't sell those here," the clerk supposedly said, "and wenever will."
It's true that flags aren't in Good's inventory, said Burkholder,the company president. The families that own the stores areAnabaptists, who view the banner primarily as a symbol of militarymight.
But, he said, it's false to imply that this faith group, whichincludes Amish and Mennonites, is anti-American.
Nor could Good's find proof that the supposed testy exchange withan employee ever took place, Burkholder added.
"We researched it. That was my main concern," Burkholderemphasized, that the company not appear arrogant.
Burkholder acknowledged that the flag "means a lot of differentthings to different people."
Good's does not condemn people for buying flags, he said. Thecompany pays its taxes, respects differing viewpoints and supportsthe community.
He said he and his employees are grateful to live in a countrythat tolerates religious freedom.
But he's still puzzled by the periodic contention over the flagpolicy.
Anabaptists have embraced nonviolence and distanced themselvesfrom the military, and from iconography, since the 1500s, Burkholderpointed out.
"It's not like we came up with something new here."
Good's Store in downtown Quarryville was placid last week.
Potted mums set off the sturdy brick and masonry storefront.
Light traffic proceeded steadily in and out of the parking lot,where a digital sign advertised wood pellets.
Inside, customers shopped among racks of clothing, householditems and hardware. A short line had formed at the cashiers'station.
The mysterious e-mailer may or may not have been about.
"We don't know the source" of the message or what triggered itthis time, Burkholder said.
But the tune was familiar, right down to the urged boycott.
Just like they did eight years ago, after the terrorist attacks,some customers complained and vowed to shop elsewhere.
But others have jumped to support Good's, which also has storesin East Earl, Ephrata and Schaefferstown, Lebanon County.
Detractors say the business operates on American soil andbenefits from the sacrifices of American troops, and so shouldsalute their emblem.
"Cowards and hypocrites!" charged one critic on TalkBack, theLancaster Newspapers Inc. online forum. "They are so quick tocondemn the U.S.A. and the military."
Defenders argue that the store has a right to choose its ownmerchandise precisely because this is a free land.
"There are lots of people who would sell you a flag who wouldalso be tax cheats, sell you inferior goods, try to charge youunfairly, etc.," wrote "Maffimuk." "With whom would you rather dobusiness? An honest man who's trying to live by his faith, orsomeone who will do anything for a buck?"
Greg Kerek Sr. took a philosophical view of the debate.
The 70-year-old Lancaster man is well-known for completing thepast 25 Red Rose Runs while carrying a large American flag on apole.
He's also a National Guard veteran who described himself as "veryup on the military."
As to Good's ban on flag sales, he added, "I don't like thatmindset at all."
Conversely, he said he'd protect the rights of any "dyed-in-the-wool pacifist."
Steve Johnson, who runs Circa Antiques and posts on TalkBack as"City Dweller," said the flare-up over Good's raised someinteresting questions.
"It opens up a discussion that can go all over the place," hesaid. "Is our flag a symbol of our national unity ... or is it amilitary symbol?"
You could write an essay on the topic, Johnson said.
Burkholder said the brouhaha is not going to affect the store'sAmish and Mennonite customers.
Nor is it going to compel the 51-year-old business to startstocking American flags.
All the same, he added, he would prefer that people just stoptalking - and writing - about what's for sale at Good's.
"We've been through this a number of years."
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