Had VERY significant life's quest and....

[BIG JOE]

goal achieved last Saturday. Thought I'd share it with yal..

My Dad was Killed In Action in WWII, in Europe, in February of 1945. In March of 1950 his remains where shipped home, to up-state New York.

I was only 5-6 years old but remember the entire Military Funeral Honors VIVIDLY.

The Officer in Charge, at my Mother and Grandmothers request, presented Me.. with his Burial Flag.

I have Honored, Cherished & Cared for his (my) Flag from that day forward, without fail. But in the back of my mind, through childhood, the teen-aged years and on into manhood, I always felt I needed to "Fly" his (my) "Colors".. to Honor not only Him.. But all Veterans, Past, Present and Future, through his flag. But I wanted, and needed it to be, at a Significant Event. Not just any day, when We fly our Flags. I've waited and waited for an EVENT.

Well ... That happened last Saturday, the 17th of January 2009 at 2 PM in the afternoon..

I'm a member of the local Elks Lodge. Our 40+ year old Flag pole had seen it's better days. So we erected a Brand New, State of the art, 35 foot, Aluminum flagpole, lit.. so we could fly OUR FLAG..... 24/7... In Dedication, to all of our Veterans.

A few of the Elk members knew of my Quest and Goal to fly his (my) Burial flag..... So they asked me that His (my) flag be the FIRST American Flag to be HAULED UP & TWO BLOCKED.... at the Dedication Ceremonies.

Guyz'n Galz... HIS "COLORS" went up that pole.. with a Prominent Reverence, Hung Solemnly for a moment.... then a Gentle, Crisp Breeze unfurled it and ALL 48 Stars and the Stripes could be seen, as it slowly waved.

I was FINALLY able to step back.. and render my Dad.. A SHARP, CRISP RIGHT HAND SOLUTE.... At a Significant Event.

Not a Dry Eye (including mine) on anyone present.

A life's Quest and Goal Achieved.

Life is Good (mine ? now Even better)

Just had to share that with you all.

Joe

 

[Tbar]

Wow, You must feel some real pride there Joe..........good job !!!

Take some pictures if you get a chance.

The flag that draped my dads coffin sits in a display case above my desk.


Tbar

 

[BIG JOE]

Wow, You must feel some real pride there Joe..........good job !!!

Take some pictures if you get a chance.

The flag that draped my dads coffin sits in a display case above my desk.


Tbar

I will T

The local paper was there.. it made the Front Page on Sunday too !!

 

[BamaSixGun]

Great write-up Joe.

My son has been learning about the FLAG and the loyalty and reverance that goes with it
in boy Scouts recently. Part of making it to the next stage (Webelos) is to perform a flag cerimony, flag folding, etc.

Can't wait to see him do it, thanks for your inspiring journey with your Father's flag.

 

[hawkdriver]

Great story. Thanks for sharing. As a Vet myself stories like this really get to me......

 

[JimmyDee]

When I look up about 2' higher than my computer screen, my Dad's flag is proudly displayed in an oak display case. To me it represents freedom, but freedom at a great cost. When my son gets a place to display the flag, I will give it to him. My hope is that he will treasure it with the same reverence I do.
What an honor for you to have your Dad's flag chosen to delicate the new flag pole. May God bless the families of those of all wars, that paid so much for our freedom. May the young generations of this country remember this as well.
Thank you for sharing your story.
God bless America.
Jim

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Not a Dry Eye (including mine) on anyone present.

Same here, thanks for telling us that moving tale.

 

[dpantazis]

thanks for sharing your personal moment. did anyone get a picture of YOU?

what is the local paper? link to the story?

 

[DaveBen]

Good story Big Joe.

Dave

 

[Tail_Gunner]

For some reason, your story reminds me of another tale.

My father-in-law is a WWII vet. He was a mechanic and later on, a gunner on B-17 in the south Pacific. He had several brothers who also served. One was a tank commander in Europe. He died when his tank was hit during the Battle of the Bulge Dec 44 - Jan 45.

Fast forward 50 years. A old barracks building is being torn down at an Army base. After the old lockers are removed, they start demolishing the wall. Inside the wall, an old wallet is found. Inside the wallet is an Army ID card, drivers license, laundry tag, some photos and several other things. The owner of the wallet, my F.I.L.'s deceased brother. The Army tracks down his next of kin and sends a Major and a Sergeant to present the wallet and contents in a display box to my F.I.L. and all his surviving siblings.

The kicker: THE WALLET WAS FOUND EXACTLY 50 YEARS TO THE DAY, OF IT'S OWNER'S DEATH DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE!!!

When I heard of this, all I could say was WOW!!