Jimmy's flag

The Coconut Telegraph ^ | October 1st, 2001 | Luis Gonzalez

[Luis Gonzalez]

Jimmy has always been my definition of a "True American", since joining Free Republic, I've met many more.

Thanks for stopping by.

Luis

[real saxophonist]

Outstanding. Made me think about my dad's flag. It's in a triangle shaped frame, about 1200 miles away. Just remember, though CHIEF was a soldier in the current political, economic and spiritual wars, he is always a Marine. Semper Fi

[Luis Gonzalez]

It seems that flags are starting to show up everywhere. There are street vendors here and there selling them.

A good friend stopped by a few of them, happy that he'd finally found a flag, they all read either "Made in Korea", or "Made in China"....he's still looking.

Luis

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thanks Aunt Pol, wish I would have thought of that!

[Luis Gonzalez]

We all need to stand a little taller these days. Thanks the response.

Luis

[Luis Gonzalez]

It is indeed a sad day in FR, I had the opportunity to exchange a few thoughts with CHIEF over the last couple of years, I was deeply affected by the news.

Check out Aunt Polgara's suggestion as to how to get a flag.

[SuziQ]

Oh man, Luis! I finally stop crying after reading CHIEF Negotiator's last thread, and you have to go and do this!!

It is a lovely story, and I'm glad Jimmy's flag is flying proudly again. I'm sure Jimmy is proud.

I've been looking for a flag for three weeks, too. We started to order one online on the Thurs. after the attacks, but I thought, nah, I can find one locally. NO WAY! I finally decided to go ahead and get one online this past Monday. I went to libertyflags.com and went throught the whole order procedure, but got a message at the end that they could not fill the order and I should come back in a couple of weeks to re-order. I was mildly perturbed, but decided no problem, I'll do that. To my great surprise, later that evening, I received an e-mail saying my flag would be shipped the next day! I'm so excited. I hope it comes in by Friday so we can hang it up over the weekend!

I'll be thinking about CHIEF Negotiator, BCM, and all those who died in the attacks as we put it up.

[Luis Gonzalez]

1200 miles away? I don't think so, I think that you can feel that triangular Stars and Stripes pulsating everytime you place your hand over your heart, and begin reciting those words...

"I pledge allegiance...."

[Luis Gonzalez]

Long may she wave....

Thanks for stopping by.

Luis

[MHGinTN]

Dios bendice usted, Luis. And God bless the CHIEF and BKO ... I'll bet they have some things to discuss!

[SSgt Mike]

Amen and God Bless!

[real saxophonist]

Oh, yeah! It's just not in my hands. Yet. Just another thang in the process of executing my mom's will. I've got my own flags, in fact I've overheard the 'yes, we have no flags' conversations at most places I've been. Also had to admonish more than one storekeeper about proper display.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thank you so much for another beautiful tribute, Luis. You are an inspiration and the heart and voice of many.

There's an old, tattered flag waving in the breeze out front; under a clear, true blue dream of an American sky, Jimmy's flag is waving for the country once again; and though its edges are ragged, the colors are strong, and vibrant, just as they were when it waved, framed by a Virginia sky, and waited for a sailor to come home. Old Jimmy would have wanted it this way, Lydia told me.

I raise the colors every morning; then I do a small salute and speak to ears that I know are listening near by.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I used to have a real nice American Flag set; pole, bracket, the whole thing.

Best that I can figure, it left some years ago, inside one of the hundred or so boxes that left with my ex-wife.

I should have replaced it long ago.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Doggone it, Luis! For the third time today, the tears are flowing!

Whew - what a moving story!

God bless Lydia and Jimmy for their giving spirit and for Jimmy's service to America.

God bless you and your family and all who have come to America to build our country and make it stronger! How much we needed you in the November election - now, as I remember first meeting you during the Elian saga - can't we see - God's hand at work - even in the horrible treatment of our beloved little Elian? By taking Elian and sending him back to Castro's hell - the Clintonistas ensured Florida's Cuban American / Latin American community would ELECT PRESIDENT BUSH!!!! bringing into office the President that our country would need at just this terrible time!

Thank you for these wonderful essays - each one improves over the last one.

(Re: flag search - another good place to look is local school supply companies - they will reserve one for people and they have made in America excellent quality flags)

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thanks Victoria, I love those two pictures side-by-side.

Luis

[Luis Gonzalez]

Buh-bye!!!

[real saxophonist]

I have visited the Marine Corps Museum at the Washington Navy Yard. There on display are the first and second flags raised on Iwo Jima. There's a little citation there, signed by I think 4 of the 6 who were in the Rosenthal photo. The feeling, just looking at those flags, and knowing what they meant, in that nice quiet 2nd floor hall, can't be described.

[Victoria Delsoul]

That must be a wonderful experience, RS. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.