Ali Fayad is a Marine Corps veteran who lives in Dearborn.
He passes by French Road off I-94 every day, but a few weeks ago, he noticed a tattered American flag flying in a gas station parking lot.
"It was faded. It was ripping," says Fayad.
He knew he wanted to do something about it.
"It's out of respect. This is the country's flag. It can't be up there like that. A lot of people fought and died for that flag," he says.
So, earlier this week, Fayad visited the gas station and told them it should be replaced. He came back a few hours later and offered to do it for them.
The gas station owner said he had lost the key and wasn't able to do it, but Fayad gave it a try with a tool he had in his car.
"I jimmied it, brought it down to be properly disposed," says Fayad.
But he didn't stop there. He spent $200 on a new flag and brought it to the gas station.
He used that tool to raise it up the flagpole and return Old Glory to its proper glory.
Taylor Thomas, who works at the gas station, said, "It was incredible. I was surprised to see him come in here do something about it. I said I appreciate you getting us a new flag. Thank you very much," says Thomas.
Fayad hopes that if others see a flag that needs to be replaced, they'll help make that happen. He's just glad he could be of service here, too.
"It's gonna be a good feeling, knowing that's what it's supposed to look like," he says.
