Whether you call it “Old Glory” or “the Stars and Stripes,” the American Flag represents so much to so many people across this country. It pays tribute to service members, reflects our country’s values and symbolizes national unity. A program known as Operation Old Glory helps to ensure the “Red, White and Blue” always flies with pride.
In 2017, a Comcast technician and United States Navy veteran came to a startling realization. While out in the field, he noticed too many worn flags flying on front porches or neighborhood businesses. He decided he wanted to make a change. He wanted the tattered American flags to be retired and new ones to fly in their place. The veteran envisioned a program where Comcast would replace the flags free of charge. He shared this idea with his leaders and Operation Old Glory was born.
Over the years, the program has grown in success. Today, Operation Old Glory is led by Comcast’s Veterans Network Employee Resource Group (VetNet) and is active in all of the company’s service areas throughout the Florida Region. From Key West to Tallahassee, it’s never been easier to get a flag replaced by passionate patriots – who we call Flag Ambassadors. These employees honor the special connection to the American flag by replacing them for free – for anybody. You do not need to be a Comcast customer. Here’s an incredible look at Operation Old Glory in action. 👇
Candice Mahoney is an HR Manager at Comcast and serves as a Co-Lead for VetNet in Florida. Her spouse is a U.S. Army veteran and her son recently enlisted in the U.S. Navy. She has been a Flag Ambassador for many flag retirement ceremonies throughout the state.
“Being a flag ambassador is not just about replacing a worn-out flag. It is about ensuring the bravery, perseverance and valor that our country was founded on is represented in its highest respect,” said Mahoney. “It’s a tribute to the men and women who wear or have worn a military uniform. One thing that is always present at our flag retirement ceremonies is the pride that our community has for our flag.”
If a Comcast employee sees a flag that looks worn or tattered, they’re encouraged to reach out to the property owner and see if they would like to participate in Operation Old Glory. The goal is to honor people’s personal connections to the American flag through a simple act of service. If you know of a flag that needs to be replaced, please send an email to CENFLR-Vet_Net@comcast.com.
Xfinity Military Benefits
Whether it’s a sergeant catching up on his spouse’s day while away for training or a group of battle buddies gaming online, Xfinity is committed to connecting our military customers to what they love.
New and existing military-connected customers can enjoy our Xfinity Military Benefits, including:
- A $180 Virtual Prepaid Card for new and existing Military customers that can be applied to their choice of Xfinity services (equivalent to $15 a month per year).
- One free Xfinity Mobile line for a year (a $480 value – requires a subscription to Xfinity Internet Service).
- Automatic upgrade to become an Xfinity Diamond Rewards member (which is normally reserved for customers who have been with Xfinity for 14+ years) as a part of the Xfinity Rewards program. Enrollment in the program is free and Diamond benefits include:
- Free Peacock Premium (a $60 annual value), with access to 80,000+ hours of the best in TV, including the latest hits from NBC & Bravo, hundreds of hit movies like Oppenheimer, The Holdovers, and Trolls, plus LIVE sports including Sunday Night Football and Premier League.
- Access to great entertainment with $1 movie nights, exclusive tickets to premiere movie events, exclusive streaming events with NBCU talent, and more.
- A wide variety of digital discounts to sites like the NBC Store and Bravo.com, tickets to local sporting events, giveaways, gift cards, sweepstakes, and more.
The military community can also continue to enjoy specially priced park tickets, vacation packages, and discounted resort stays at Universal Destinations & Experiences.
We will continue to update details at www.xfinity.com/military and our military community should be on the lookout for even more offerings in the future.
$1 Million to Support the Military Community
Through our Project UP initiative, Comcast is committing $1 million in 2024 to several military community-serving organizations to support digital skills-building programs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and access to essential technology.
One partner in this commitment is NPower, which provides free tech training for transitioning service members and military spouses, job placement services, and Cybersecurity and Cloud skills training programs.
“Through our partnership with Comcast, we are helping address critical technology training needs of servicemen and women transitioning to civilian life,” said Bertina Ceccarelli, Chief Executive Officer of NPower. “By being thoughtful about the military community’s needs, we can help make that shift more seamless and impactful for individuals and the companies that seek to hire them.”
Comcast NBCUniversal is proud to be ‘military-ready’ in its commitment to providing exceptional media and technology experiences for our military customers and fostering one of the nation’s top workplaces for veterans and military spouses. As we commemorate Military Appreciation Month, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to our military-connected customers, teammates, and partners for their invaluable service and dedication.
To learn more about the company’s ongoing commitment to the military community, visit Corporate.Comcast.com/Impact/Military.
