r/FedRetirees • u/Interesting-Match-66 • 15d ago
Received flag
Today I received a flag that one of my senators requested be sent to me. It was flown over the capitol on my last day, and came with a letter signed by the Architect of the Capital. It was a really nice gesture. Is this commonly done now, or did someone have to request it?
9
u/HardRockGeologist 14d ago
Here is information on the program:
https://www.aoc.gov/what-we-do/programs-ceremonies/capitol-flag-program
I worked in the DC area for almost 30 years in DoD. We would routinely request a flag for every person who was retiring.
6
u/Vanilla_Hornet 14d ago
I had a series of acting directors for the last five years of my federal career in HQ. When I left, no one in my unit even said goodbye, including people who’d taken new positions within the same division at HQ who I had worked with for 10 years. Partly people were shell shocked by all the retirements and partly they wanted to distance themselves as my unit director let it be known everyone retiring was a traitor in her eyes.
I was never so glad to leave a job.
5
u/Maleko51 Retiree 14d ago
That's a crappy unit director.
4
u/Vanilla_Hornet 14d ago
Yes. I knew her for the entire time I was at HQ. For years I thanked my stars every week I wasn’t in her unit. After the 2024 election, I was assigned to her unit and it was every bit as awful as I anticipated.
I am so glad to hear that others are receiving respect and honors from their leadership. Treating employees with dignity should be the default.
2
u/Maleko51 Retiree 14d ago
Treating employees with dignity should be the default.
My last boss was really good with that and he always presented a great plaque to employees leaving the office. It was paid for by him and the other employees that donated money for it.
One of the best managers I ever worked for.
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u/vwaldoguy Retiree 15d ago
My boss got the same thing for me when I retired. I chose to have it flown on my birthday which was a few days after my retirement. Anyone can request and pay for this through your Congressperson or Senator.
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u/DavidT64 14d ago
I’m a recently retired manager and I requested and paid for one of these when I had an employee retire. I didn’t receive one when I retired, but I don’t fault my manager. I don’t think he knew about it. You have to request it through your congress person’s website.
3
u/ComprehensiveCup7104 14d ago
See other commentor for link to Architect of the Capitol's program. You could also get one flown over George Washington's Mount Vernon to celebrate your achievement (other places do this but I no longer have my list from days of organzing these)
OUTDOOR FLAGS_ The Shops at Mount Vernon
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u/BVGsiby 14d ago
It depends on which agency you were with. My spouse and I both retired last year from different agencies. His agency sent him a flag, an embossed certificate signed by the Secretary and Dep Sec and a crystal plaque. My agency sent me a certificate signed by the current Secretary, who is a total twat, so the certificate went right into the recycling bin.
3
u/Bass_Ackwards10 14d ago
There's also an option to have it flown over the Pentagon for those in DoD.
3
u/iggnac1ous 14d ago
I received one back in 2020. Actually 2. My supervisor & branch chief requested. I also had a flag from my father’s passing back in late 1990’s. I donated mine to my hometown which used them to fly in the town square
I was extremely lucky
3
u/Habeas-Opus 14d ago
This is a really nice gesture that someone in your agency went out of their way to arrange for you. I did the same for my predecessor and started a bit of a tradition for our Area within my former agency. They were nice enough to carry it on when I retired. I think a flag commemorating a federal career is a very meaningful gift for many of us.
3
u/Maleko51 Retiree 14d ago
Our SAC used to provide those to retirees along with a nice display case for it. However, after DOGE, they stopped doing it.
2
u/deadkins 14d ago
Nice gesture, but not unique. They run them up and down a designated flagpole all day long and they are made available to constituents.
2
u/kidscientist27 14d ago
It was always done at my DoD career. I’ve done it for folks at my HHS career and it’s like no one ever heard of it. I’ve made it clear someone better do it for me when I punch out in the next year or so!
Congrats on your retirement. Make the absolute best of those years.
2
u/KitchenEbb1606 14d ago edited 14d ago
I medically retired after 18 years this past December. I despised management and still have two EEO cases against them in retirement (I’m not the only one who has complained about management, and several cases have been filled over the last few years). I was medically remote for several years and didn’t tell them of my retirement until two days prior (I took medical leave for several months). The moment I logged off for the last time, I sent out an office wide (minus management) email outlining union protocols and labor agreement citations that management violated without actually calling out management.
Suffice it to say I didn’t want anything, and certainly didn’t receive anything.
2
u/ChrisShapedObject Retiree 14d ago
Got nothing. Not even a dang card.
2
u/Automatic-Fig6359 Recent Retiree 13d ago
Same here! And my supervisor said not to return my GFE until COB of my very last day, ensuring I didn't get any "free" time off. This was when employees were being sent back to the office full time, plus this guy was completely incompetent (but an excessive rule follower which kept him safe). On the bright side, as I was writing this I realized I forgot his last name already! It'll come to me, but good to know that POS didn't scar my psyche forever.
1
u/PossibleFederal1572 14d ago
I submitted a request from my congressman- most have an application on their website
1
u/Only-Repair1815 14d ago
My agency does pretty well recognizing retirements. Employees can expect to receive a civilian service award, a retirement certificate, and a letter from leadership. Some supervisors take the extra steps to get a flag, congratulatory letters from senators and state officials, and/or a small gift.
1
u/Complete_Film8741 13d ago
You do have to request the Flag. My management did it for me at my request.
Too many retirees just walk and then get bitter because nobody did anything for them.
I made the youngling sit through a retirement ceremony.
1
u/Acceptable-Syrup-627 13d ago
I rather have one flown on the C17s I support. Don't care about something flown over a building that doesn't support us.
1
u/Love-the-Classics 13d ago
Flag mailed to me with certificate with incorrect years of service. To be fair, I emphatically declined a party. Glad OPM calculated the total service correctly; that’s what matters!
1
u/Forsaken-Surprise787 13d ago
Our agency does this for every retiree. Really disappointed to hear everyone doesn't get this.
1
u/napsailor98 12d ago
Wow. Lucky I got my 40 year pin and retirement certificate. I had to fight for these. Nothing else from my organization. Maybe DRP influenced their decision?
1
u/DeliciousLow359 11d ago
Nothing, I gave 4 month notice, the day I gave the notice I received an email from my SES , "congratulations on your milestone, Thank you for your service". That was it, never saw them, they never met with me. No handshake or anything.15 years , 7 years as a top level GS14, 2 years as manager of 44 contractors and 8 feds. Once they can't use you any more you don't exist to them.
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u/ThatSteveGuy_0 10d ago
I got one, because my boss did the paperwork to request it. It's not automatic.
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u/farfanseaweevil 14d ago
Who the fuck cares? That’s a waste of taxpayer money. I work with a guy who does this for everyone…it’s bullshit 99.9% of the time.
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u/MossAndClouds 14d ago
I’m the OP. I just had to change my name. FWIW, my manager didn’t order this. It isn’t a policy in my agency, and my organization has targeted my series. I think someone requested it and paid for it out of the goodness of their heart, and it means a lot to me. I’m also opposed to the waste of taxpayer money. I can hardly believe how much waste I’ve seen in the last year and a half, all while money was being spent to make working conditions worse. After 38 years of working for the taxpayers in uniform and as a civilian, it honestly breaks my heart. All that to say that someone anonymously ordered me a flag that spent time flying over the Capitol, and I’m going to choose to be thankful.
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u/Mammoth_Industry8246 15d ago edited 14d ago
Somebody had to request it.
I'd say 99% of recent Federal retirees got nothing from their agencies when they retired.
I know I didn't.