These days it's hard not to

miss the American flag being flown throughout the area and displayed on

bumper stickers and other decals on automobiles.

The flag, however, is not flying

at Fayette Community Hospital for a variety of reasons, although management

is considering the possibility, explained spokesperson Ryan Duffy.

Although the hospital supports

American troops, hospital officials don't want to offend others by erecting

a flag just as the country goes to war, Duffy said.

"Just because we don't

fly the flag doesn't mean we aren't supportive of our troops," Duffy

said, noting that American flag pins have been made available to staff

members to wear if they choose.

The hospital also has several

programs for employees who have loved ones serving abroad in the military,

including an internal Web site for employees only, she said. The hospital's

chaplain is also involved in a special program to assist those employees,

she added.

Funding is also a concern,

Duffy said, and the decision to buy an appropriate flagpole and assorted

equipment must be weighed against buying other medical equipment such

as wheelchairs and stretchers, Duffy added.

"It's not just a matter

of putting up a pole, but also installation and lighting and having a

backup flag and getting the staff trained," Duffy said.

Hospital officials also want

to insure that if the American flag is flown there it is done so properly

and that the location of the flag pole won't conflict with a future expansion

of the facility.

"It's not going to happen

overnight," Duffy said, noting that if the hospital were owned by

the county, it would have been required to display a flag. But the facility

is privately owned, although it is the only hospital serving Fayette County.

The matter is under consideration

"We haven't made a decision

not to put the flag up," Duffy said.

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