My husband and I have been married for 10 years. Our 3x5 flag was given to us as a wedding gift from his boss when we lived in Louisville. We were told that it had been run up the flag pole at the Kentucky Capitol building before being presented to us as a gift. This was/is a common practice in Frankfort.

        We have now hung our flag at three different homes for all the appropriate holidays, but now that we are at war against terrorism, I fly it every day that it is not raining. I have always been a bit patriotic, so this unusual wedding gift will always be appreciated and considered special to us.

        - Maureen and Bill Walczak, Union

        Little did I know that when we took our son Brian and his sisters to visit our nation's capital that it would be a life altering experience for him. While exiting the city after spending a tiring week visiting all of our nation's monuments and museums we were driving past the Washington Monument for the last time. Brian wound his window down, stuck his head out and yelled to the tall building "I'll be back!'' He was in junior high at the time.

        Time moved on. He went to St. Xavier High School, graduated from Ohio State with a degree in Mathematics and worked for two years in Chicago at a financial institution at a great job with great pay.

        But his love of our nation's history and government still was his passion. He called me one day this past summer and said "I quit my job today to follow my dream.'' I almost had a heart attack. He had already made reservations to go to Washington DC and to find "the" job. He spent a week in the 90-degree heat, walking Capitol Hill, in his three piece suit, handing out over 60 resumes. He finally landed a job with a freshman Missouri Congressman, being a Legislative Assistant. He was thrilled! He was finally working at "the'' job, in his favorite city , and taking over a 50% pay cut! Three days after the Sept. 11 tragedy I received one of my most treasured possessions-an American flag that had flown over the Capitol for us. With it came this letter:

        Mom, Dad and Mo (his youngest sister),

        I was going to wait until Christmas to give you this. However, due to recent events, I decided to give it to you now. The certificate enclosed explains everything. My only request is that you fly it high. I know my insistence on staying here flies in the face of common sense and your wishes. But to leave means they were successful in scaring me from my dreams. Everyone has a right to live their dreams and not be deterred by the threat of a nightmare.

        As Dad always told me (sorry to get you in trouble, Dad), you cannot go through life running from something, you must run to something.

        The anxiety you feel is nothing compared to what our armed forces, including my friends, are being asked to sacrifice. God willing, and with a little help from our military, we will be fine. This flag was flown in honor of you. I ask that you fly it in honor of liberty, of America- the very reason your son works where he does today. Thank you for all of your support. And God Bless America!

        Love always, Brian

        It is hung proudly in our family room.

        - Sandra McKenna (7560 Graves Road 45243; 561-6454; 509-7565

        On Sept. 4 1968 I left for a tour of duty in the Marine Corps. My mother began displaying our flag on that day and continued until I returned home for good four years later. On my release from active duty she gave me that flag. I have kept it every since. I don't display it outdoors anymore because of its fragile condition, I've since retired it and keep it safe inside. I guess due to the anti war sentiment during the Viet Nam war she received many abusive calls and letters, but her conviction never wavered. The Flag flew everyday. Mom continued to fly the flag everyday until she passed away. God Bless America!

        Sincerely, John M. Knueven

        My American flag is very important to me, in that I obtained it several years ago, while visiting the USS ARIZONA Memorial at Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. My visit was extremely moving and somber. In addition to my flag, I was also mailed an official "Certification of Flag Presentation," stating that it was, in fact, flown above the Memorial on May 18, 1998. I am so proud of this flag, that I have never flown it outside, in the elements, but I choose to keep it safely indoors. I am proud to be an American and to be the owner of my beautiful American flag.

        - Charles R. Wetzel, 15 West Martha Jean Dr. Amelia , Ohio 45102

        I am not sure this is the kind of "flag tale'' you are looking for, but here is my story anyway. After Sept. 11, flags were not to be found. So I made one. My husband got the accurate measurements of any size flag from the internet, and I went to work. I used a piece of particle board approx. 24 by 45. I painted (of course) 50 wooden stars (woodsies). Glued them on and added several coats of polyurethane, and it is beautiful!! For the crafty people out there, I think they may like this idea.

        - Tina M. Conter

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