Tag Archives: Air Force

02.11
2013

Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Thanks Supporters with Flag Plaque

Local supporters that sent care packages overseas receive flag plaque for their military support. When stationed overseas, troops miss a lot of daily items – chocolate, pop, coffee, etc. – that non-military people might take for granted. That’s why gift packages are such an awesome welcome in a place like Afghanistan. Even the smallest reminders from home help more than people back in the U.S. know. Air Force Lt. Col. Michelle Estes stopped by the Dignity Health Home Health center in California to express a deep gratitude for the care packages and postcards the employees and residents sent to the troops overseas. To show the troops’ appreciation, Estes presented the Dignity staff with a framed American flag that flew over her base in Kabul, Afghanistan. The flag plaque also included an official certificate that authenticated the time and place that Old Glory flew. “For people you don’t know to send you packages and support touched us very deeply,” Estes said. She also mentioned that many of the snacks included in the packages where ones many of the soldiers had not seen in a very long time. Chocolate turned into an especially hot commodity! Estes was stationed with a 50-member coalition …

Flag News

Tagged: Air Force, American Flag, Flag Plaque, Military

12.18
2012

Flag Stolen From a Veteran Home in Georgia

20-year-old flag goes missing on Veteran’s Day Derek Duke, a resident of Statesboro, Georgia, flew the same American flag outside his home for the past 20 years. This is until is disappeared from his front yard on Veteran’s Day. Duke received the flag from a fellow Air Force veteran, Major General Robert Stephens, who he met at the Moody Air Force base in the late 1960’s. The two men, graduating from rival Georgia colleges, ended up at seat mates in their Air Force training and remained friends ever since. Following their service, both men became commercial pilots for then- Easter Airlines and later taught others their trade as instructor pilots. Stephens gave the flag to Duke when his friend retired from the Air Force Reserves. This special flag once flew over the U.S. capital. Stephen’s died of cancer last year. In honor of the Georgia Southern Eagles’ homecoming game, Duke flew the flag outside his home on November 10 with the intention of taking it down before sunset. Due to a number of unforeseen distractions, Duke simply forgot and woke up the next day to find his precious keepsake gone. “It was probably a spur of the moment kinda thing,” …

Flag News

Tagged: Air Force, American Flag, Veteran, Veterans Day

09.24
2012

Michigan Woman Reminisces Being Among the First Female Air Force Pilots

Ten women flew into history as part of the first coed graduating air force class 35 years ago. The hats weren’t right, flight suits didn’t fit, and nobody believed they could do what men could. But Mary Livingston of Manistique, Michigan (located on the upper peninsula) became one of 10 ladies to graduate with the first coed class of Air Force pilots 35 years ago this month. Back then, Mary was a 25-year-old engineer who was taught to fly when she was 16. Now, she’s 60 and a retired lieutenant colonel, married to a fellow former Air Force engineer and pilot. “We knew we were part of the test group. We were blessed with the opportunity to fly for the Air Force and to provide a road map,” Livingston said about the opportunity as one of the first female Air Force pilots. “I wanted someone to look at me and what I had done and go, ‘Now what? There’s no problem with other women being pilots.’” To get into the pilot program, Livingston and her fellow females had to pass a physical, an officer qualification test and a pilot navigation test, which mostly consisted of spatial orientation. And even then, …

Flag History, Flag News

Tagged: Air Force, Air Force pilots, Military

08.31
2012

Momentous WWII Iwo Jima Flag Raising Photograph is Not the Original

A Leavenworth, Kansas man still holds onto the original WWII Iwo Jima flag raising photograph. At the end of WWII, the United States had one picture burned into their memory. Even if you were not even alive for the war, you most likely are aware of the picture. The flag raising at Iwo Jima became an extremely popular event after being captured by the photographer Joe Rosenthal. Since then, the photograph has won the Pulitzer Prize, was reproduced on the U.S. postage stamp and a bronze sculpture was constructed to capture the moment. However, what most people do not know is the famous flag raising was not a “first.” It was actually a restaged event and Art Jahn, a retired supermarket operator from Kansas, has a copy of a picture of the very first flag to fly over Mt. Suribachi. Jahn was a sergeant with Group Operations, 414th Fighter Group, 13th Air Force during the war and arrived in Iwo Jima shortly after the flag-raising. At the time, GIs were notorious for gathering war souvenirs like enemy flags, firearms, uniforms, and even photographs. While on the island, a Marine approached Jahn and asked him if he was interested in buying …

Flag History

Tagged: Air Force, Iwo Jima, Old Glory

08.22
2012

Family and Friends Support U.S. Military Olympians

U.S. military athletes have the support of the nation throughout the London Games Service members competing in the 2012 London Olympic Games received a great network of support from family and friends, as well as fellow soldiers. U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) wrestler Spc. Justin Lester had his wife, daughter, parents, and over a dozen close friends from Akron, Ohio accompany him to London, but not without a little help. The Akron Community banded together and raised $26,000 so Lester’s family could come with him and witness him compete for gold. The entire community was behind Lester and the whole family is grateful for the endless support. Lester’s mom believes the Army has really helped her son. It has improved his diet and greatly aided in his training. As a three-time U.S. National Champion and six-time U.S. World Team Member, he made the decision two years ago to join the military and U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program. Jamie Gray, wife of Staff Sgt. Hank Gray of the Army, won an Olympic gold medal in the women’s 50-meter 3-positions rifle event August 4 at the Royal Artillery Barracks. Additionally, Air Force family member Janay DeLoach won a bronze …

Flag News

Tagged: Air Force, American Flag, Army, London Olympics 2012, Military

07.20
2012

Boy Gets Flag in Memory of his Fallen Military Father

Flags for Fallen Military installs flagpole for Spec. Steven Jewell The son of fallen military man, Specialist Steven Jewell, continues to remember his father with an honorary flagpole. Military men and women constantly put their lives on the line for our country every day and, unfortunately, some make the ultimate sacrifice. Will Jewell, 13, remembers the day he found out he lost his dad in a helicopter crash during a post-maintenance test flight in Iraq. Will comments on the dedication ceremony saying he’s “excited he has something to remember the United States by, him, and I love to honor our patriot guard riders, and the flag – our freedom.” Even though Steven passed away five years ago, Will says it doesn’t get any easier. Earlier this month, Will’s family surprised him with a visit from two important groups: the Patriot Guard Riders and Flags for Fallen Military. They helped install the flagpole and raised an American flag to fly proudly in honor of Jewell. Under the pole a stone monument reads, “In honor and remembrance, Spec. Steven Jewell. On August 14, 2007, this loving father paid the supreme price for freedom for his son, Will, and his fellow Americans.” Steven …

Flag News

Tagged: Air Force, Flagpole, Flags for Fallen Military, Military, Military Fathers, Patriot Guard Riders

07.09
2012

Flag Event at Church Evokes Life Lessons

Boy scout troop honors the flag and learns other life skills. In honor of Independence Day, Boy Scout troop 139 held a flag retirement ceremony while also dedicating a flagpole in honor of the holiday. This is the very first flagpole for Northampton Street Church where this troop is located. Learning how to properly retire the flag is only one of the many life lessons and skills Troop 139 learns. After a several year hiatus, Committee chairwoman Leona Harper reinstated the troop six years ago when she saw a need in the community for teaching young boys how to become men. Troop 139 now includes around 60 members between the Boy and Cub Scouts, which make it the largest inner-city troop in the United States. Kaleb Walker, a 13-year-old scout, says as a member he learned responsibility, leadership skills, and the value of treating others the way you want to be treated. He also explains, “helping out people- it gives me a good feeling inside.” Respecting the flag is a lesson Walker especially took to heart and looks to join to Navy or Air Force someday. In addition learning flag etiquette, the boys are taught how to swim, pitch a …

Flag News

Tagged: Air Force, American Flag, Church Evokes Life Lessons, Flag Etiquette, Navy

04.16
2012

Military Branch Flags: What do they look like?

There are five branches of the United States military; the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. While each branch of the military dedicates their time to certain aspects of protection and service, the five military branches work together to some extent in their role of security for the country. Each branch of the military has a separate flag, represented by emblems and insignia specific to the different branches. When displaying military branch flags together, the order of precedence should be the National Colors, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Flag of the United States – also often called the American Flag, has 13 alternating red and white stripes with a blue rectangle in the upper corner of the flag containing 50 small white stars, representing each of the 50 states. Flag of the United States Army – the United States Army flag shows a blue replica of the official seal of the Department of the Army on a white background, with a red scroll displaying ‘United States Army’ in white letters. Under the red scroll is the year 1775 listed in blue, which was the year the Army was created. Flag of the United …

Flag Fun

Tagged: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Military, Navy, U.S. Flag