Star spangled success

Nearly three years ago when Andrew was deployed for the first time, he did something that many military personnel do.

He purchased an American flag for TG and me, and hung it respectfully in the KC-135 tanker where he served as a boom operator, while he and his fellow soldiers flew a mission over hostile territory in the Middle East.

The mission was part of Operation Inherent Resolve. The date was September 11, 2015.

We were so moved when he presented the flag to us. I wrote about it here.

I know this is often done and it's not unique to our family; countless parents have them. But I cherish that flag.

I unfolded it from its triangle -- at least I think it was folded in a triangle when we received it, but now I'm not so sure -- and took pictures of it for my blog post.

Then I refolded it (not in a triangle because I don't know how to do that) and returned it to its box, where it has been ever since.

Recently I came across that box while cleaning out something or other, and became determined to see the flag and certificate framed so that I could display it in our home.

The thought of Andrew going to all that trouble just for the flag to while away the ages in a box, simply didn't fly. 

See what I did there?

TG took the matter in hand and, on a recent day of errand-running, took the box and its contents to Hobby Lobby where I have a great deal of confidence in one of the employees in the framing department.

His name is Dave and he has special expertise in the framing of military awards and memorabilia.

TG told Dave what we wanted and he knew exactly what to do. For one thing, TG learned that you don't display the flag folded in a triangle unless it is meant to commemorate the death of a soldier.

But Dave knew how it should be folded, and we trusted him. He recommended that first, we take the flag to a dry cleaner and have it pressed.

He also suggested that, in addition to the certificate that accompanied our flag, we include a picture of either Andrew in uniform, or Andrew in uniform with the two of us as recipients of the gift.

I happened to have such a picture of the three of us, taken last Spring by Brittany one day when we were all together at church. It's featured in the sidebar of this web site.

A week or so after first consulting Dave on the framing project, TG picked up the photo and the pressed flag and took them back to Hobby Lobby.

It was expensive to "do it right" as Dave advised TG to do; the glass, for instance, is not just any kind of glass. It is archival glass, museum quality, as befits something that has now become an heirloom.

This piece is big -- thirty-four inches high by twenty-one inches wide. The frame was custom made and it's heavy. I'll need help hanging it but I've already picked out a spot.

Fifty years from now, when TG and I are long gone and Andrew is an old man, he can bequeath this treasure to his own son or daughter. Or they can wait until he's gone too and fight over it, haaaha.

Today TG paid for the finished work and brought it home. And I am again impressed that someone would do this for me, and still touched by the story it tells.

As Dave put it, a legacy item such as this should be self-explanatory. What it is, where it came from, to whom it was given, when, and why. It's all there for anyone who cares to ponder its provenance in the future.

I'm down with that. For posterity, so that generations following us may remember with gratitude our son's service, and be made aware of the honor he bestowed upon us in the form of this glorious banner.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Thursday

Comments

[Mari]

Oh Jenny! This is absolutely beautiful! I love the pic of you and TG with Andrew and am so glad you included it. It's a perfect display and will indeed be an heirloom.

[Andrew]

This is beautiful Mom, I never dreamed this flag would become such a meaningful and long lasting gift. I am very happy about it though.

[Sally]

Such a thoughtful thing for Andrew to do for you and his dad. And, I absolutely love the way the Flag, certificate and photo has been preserved!
Thank you Andrew for your service!

I have Dad's flag displayed in our home.

Xoxo