American Flags?

Paul Lathum (Parson Paul) — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 22:18:00 +0000

I am one of those proud veterans that came out of the Viet Nam war. No, I did not serve in Viet Nam rather I served in Germany 1971-1973. We weren’t asked our politics back then. Many of us were just drafted and answered the call. I was one who after receiving my draft number decided to enlist. I saw it an honor and duty to serve my country, but when I returned home it was to a land where we were looked down on because we had served.

No, there were no parades or celebrations when I (we) came home much like what our returnees are going through now. We were all young, I had just turned 22 and married. During my time in service I matured a great deal and just plain, Grew Up.

1975 I entered college on the GI bill. It wasn’t much income, but with my wife working full time (at her insistence) I didn’t have go to work till the second semester. In 1980 I entered seminary (ministerial graduate school) where it was not popular to be a veteran. A small group of veteran students would meet after lunch several times each week for mutual support and encouragement.

I had plans to go back into the military after finishing seminary and becoming ordained in the United Methodist Church, but by the time I fulfilled all that was necessary and there was an opening I was too old to reenlist.

I served a total of 32 years as a United Methodist churches around Missouri retiring in 2012. Veterans and military families have always held a special place in my heart. We are apart of a brother and sisterhood like no other.

It has been my privilege to make and give away wooden items for veterans for the past several years. I have been paid many times over by hugs handshakes and tears from veterans and spouses, because someone remembered.

With the upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11 I was thinking of how I might mark the occasion when I came across the idea of making American flag replicas. These are not classed as American Flags (although I may refer to them as flags) but as representations of our flag which allows a degree of manipulation of the design. (These modifications are not a desecration of our national emblem but an enhancement to its representation. )

Usually a former or active duty service member’s family can request and be given a flag for their burial and as a keepsake, but the irony to that is that the veteran never sees their own flag. So, I thought, why not design a flag I or you can proudly display now when we can appreciate it. Hence my line of American flags.

We have supplied flags for memorials. retirements, birthdays, or just a token of thanksgiving. We have placed them in homes and schools, over fireplaces and memorial walls.

Our large flag is approximately 37”x22”. And we have a growing number of add-Ins that can be chosen. The large flag is great for garages, man-caves, she-sheds, classrooms and such while smaller flag approximately 22”x xx can be displayed on an office wall, shelf, or almost anywhere.

I would love to build a flag for you. Each is handcrafted and assembled with love and care.

The flags are available for pick up in St Louis or for an extra fee can be shipped anywhere. Can I build one for you or a loved one.

Paul

Parson Paul's Blog

American Flags?