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Thread: Exchanging Very Special American Flags

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Hayes, Virginia
    Posts
    9,353

    Exchanging Very Special American Flags

    Let me explain.

    A month ago we received a package from the Soldiers of Task Force Thor, 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3D BCT, 1st Infantry Division. The package contained a framed certificate that identified the full sized American Flag that was included as having been flown over FOB Fenty, Jalalabad, Afghanistan on the second day of November 2008.

    There was also a very nice letter from the Commanding Officer thanking us for sending Freedom Pens to our Service Members and explaining how much our gifts meant to those who received them.

    I must admit that I was touched by the fact that these people who are in a combat zone with very serious issues that they must deal with every minute of every day would even consider sending us such a gift. Consider that very few Americans receive an American Flag that was flown in a combat zone, the gift starts to take on new meaning.

    I just had to respond.

    I had an idea that the only gift that would be suitable would be one of equal value. I visited the National Park Service Office at Yorktown Battlefield and explained the situation and asked if they would fly an American Flag over the Battlefields for the Soldiers of Task Force Thor. This would be a gift they would never expect to receive, but one that they would cherish considering its significance to any soldier who has ever served, the site where American independence was won.

    On December 22nd, 2008 our 5 by 9.5 foot National Ensign was flown over the historic Yorktown Battlefield, raised in honor of those who are serving Task Force Thor and all those who have served the American people and our way of life. Our flag was delivered to me with a letter documenting the date and certifying our Flag.

    As soon as I can finish building a very special flag box suitable for such a flag it will be mailed and delivered to a group of very special American Patriots who continue to sacrifice on our behalf and who have made us proud. Pictures of both flags will be provided very soon.

    Thanks to the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service at Yorktown Battlefield Virginia for making this very special gift possible.
    Thanks to every Freedom pen turner, those who provide supplies and have supported us financially so we could deliver over 90,000 Freedom pens to some very special people.
    Thanks to every American Veteran for your service and sacrifice defending our way of life, you know the true meaning of the word Honor and what this flag really represents.

    .
    Last edited by Keith Outten; 01-01-2009 at 9:36 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Mt. Pleasant, MI
    Posts
    2,885
    Salute!

    I have no doubt that those who "put it out" every day will understand and cherish such an honor.

    Very nice.

    Joe
    For best results, try not to do anything stupid.

    Si vis pacem, para bellum - Vegetius De Rei Militari III (paraphrased)

    "So this is how liberty dies...with thunderous applause." - Padmé Amidala "Star Wars III: The Revenge of the Sith"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Louisiana
    Posts
    359
    Keith, I want to thank you for taking the effort to find the perfect in kind response to the generous gift you recieved from the Soldiers of Task Force Thor. I also want to express my thanks to the National Park Service for their efforts.

    I also want to express my continued support for our service men and women who are doing whatever is needed to ensure that we as a nation continue to enjoy the freedoms that we hold dear. Godspeed to all service men and women and we pray for your safe return home to your family, friends, and loved ones.

    God Bless
    Bobby McCarley
    Louisiana

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Central VA
    Posts
    5,170
    Wonderful story Keith, thanks for taking the time to tell us the story and thanks for caring about the troops enough to take the time and effort to do everything you have done and continue to do.
    Trotec Speedy 300 75W Universal PLS4.60 with Rotary Attachment
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    Real name Steve but that name was taken on the forum. Used Middle name. Call me Steve or Scott, doesn't matter.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Clinton Township, MI, United States
    Posts
    1,218
    Keith,
    Thank you and god bless!
    Mike
    From the workshop under the staircase, Clinton Township, MI
    Semper Audere!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Lauderhill, Florida
    Posts
    24
    Very nice Keith. Those guys & gals aren't remembered enough as far as I'm concerned.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Savannah, GA
    Posts
    4,348
    Great story Keith. Thank you for sharing, and for all your efforts to bring this to fruition.

    “Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy and chivalry.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Everybody knows what to do with the devil but them that has him. My Grandmother
    I had a guardian angel at one time, but my little devil got him drunk, tattooed, and left him penniless at a strip club. I have not had another angel assigned to me yet.
    I didn't change my mind, my mind changed me.
    Bella Terra

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Hayes, Virginia
    Posts
    9,353
    Thanks everyone,

    I'm still working on this one, trying to get a 3D eagle graphic ready to machine on the front of the flag box. I just received the necessary router bits yesterday from Centurian Tools so i hope to get the hard part of the job (3D work) done this weekend.

    I have decided that cherry is the best choice for the wood with engraved acrylic for the window material.
    .

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