I’ve been absent lately in the forums and I apologize to each of you for being AWOL.
My heart has been pulling me to do a couple of projects lately.
1. I’ve been building flagpoles and putting up flags at veterans houses in my neighborhood. I’ve gotten a lot of donations from other neighbors. It has created an environment where some of our shut in vets have come outside crying. They have now started to talk to their neighbors! It’s been amazing to help brothers and sisters that are struggling. I’ve put up more than 30 flags at houses!
2. I’m building a display for Memorial Day that will be secretly set up in our neighborhood park. I will pictures when I put it up.
Again, I’m sorry for being AWOL, but I’ve got struggling neighbors that need help and I’m not willing to standby and watch them fall without an outstretched hand.
RLTW!
Chris
PS: I’ll be back soon!
Last edited by Peggy M; 04/30/20246:33 PM. Reason: adjust title
Chris. This is WONDERFUL. It must be great to see all those American flags waving!!
Last edited by Peggy M; 04/30/20246:29 PM.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
Must say than you Chris. I myself is helping life time friend and veteran that is struggling so hard. You will be richly rewarded as well as your recipients.
1- 1” diameter metal conduit (8-12” long and crimped at the end) 1- 3/4” diameter metal conduit (pole) 2- self tapping screws with washers 1- American made American flag (recommend sewn flag)
Pound 1” diameter base into ground (careful not to bend), screw flag to 3/4” conduit/pole, slide 3/4” pole into 1” base᠁ Done.
Each conduit is about $10, flags are $15-35 depending on quality.
Build time 10-15 minutes if you have a beer in hand. Total cost: <$50 if you use good flags
Edit: flags have been standing tall through storms with 50 mph sustained winds.
Proud of ya, Chris! Our American Legion/VFW posts in Fayetteville Tennessee line the road in both directions from the building we share for meetings with white crosses flying 3 X 5 foot flags on holidays like Memorial Day, 4th. of July, Veterans' Day, etc.- - - -over a hundred so far. Each cross has the name, rank and branch of service of a deceased area veteran, plus his/her dates of service. Friends or relatives can sponsor a flag for a small donation, renewable every couple of years if they choose. My father, who flew a B-17, and my uncle who swam to the beach on D-Day through burning oil are represented there. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I have always enjoyed talking to People like your dad and uncle! The stories I have heard are mind blowing!
I plan to set up a memorial with all the service flags, silhouettes of Soldiers (different eras) kneeling with heads down and a silhouette of a weapon, boots, and helmet on each flag.
I’m also working on how to make more flags and where to put them. I have a few ideas but not sure yet!
Chris, Good on Ya! And a figurative high five on the lights. Most either don't know proper flag etiquette or just fail to light USA flags left out overnight.
Chris, Thanks for all that you are doing to help fellow veterans! The recognition your flags provide is immeasurable!
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Dad never quite made it to combat- - - -he and his crew were scheduled to fly to England as a replacement for war-worn aircraft and combat crews headed home when Germany surrendered. They spent the rest of the war flying search and rescue and anti submarine patrol off the coast of Florida, as B-17s didn't have the range to be used in the Pacific campaign. My uncle was recovering in a field hospital from burns from his neck to his waist sustained during his swim to the beach when most of the rest of his unit was wiped out at the battle of the bulge. My grandfather's younger brother was killed during the landing on Okinawa- - - -hit in the forehead by shrapnel from a mortar as he waded ashore. When we buried my grandmother in a little cemetery in Dickson county Tennessee back in the early 1980s, my 8 year old daughter asked "Mommy- - - -why is Daddy's picture on that tombstone?". There's a picture of a WW I Marine vet there that is a doppelganger for me! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Outstanding Sir!!! Thank you for all that you are doing!
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Update: I just put my 50th flagpole in the ground! So far, over 30% of those were donated by neighbors! My neighbors turned me into the local paper, so I did an interview yesterday. Finally, our community developer has asked me to design a permanent memorial to be placed in our community.
Chris, it looks like you did a good job handling the Press. The story in the Herald-Zeitung was great. I especially like this quote by you:
Originally Posted by Chris F from news article
“The reason why this went up is we’ve all lost somebody, right, especially a lot of us veterans, we’ve lost a lot of people during our time of service,” Felchle said. "It’s our opportunity to honor them and never forget them ᠁ and that’s what it’s all about – remembering, saying their names so they’re not forgotten.”
I added the image they used in their article. It will be nice to hear more about the neighborhood response, especially THIS weekend.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
