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Flag Display Case almost done

wiz1997wiz1997 Member Posts: 1,051 ✭✭
edited March 2015 in General Discussion
The flag case I built for my Dad's burial flag is almost complete, so here are the pictures.

Plan to put a picture of my Dad (his head poking up put of a Sherman Tank), his medals, and a couple of pins in the two upper corners.

Pins will be from the 45th Infantry Division (Thunderbirds) and the 14th Armored Division (Liberators).

Medals are: American Theater Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal and the World War 2 victory Medal.

We had no idea he was awarded these medals until we got hold of his discharge papers. Even my Mom, who was married to him for 61 years, had never seen the medals. We still have his uniform jacket with the various ribbons on it but not the actual medal. We are currently waiting for the VA to provide replacement medals which they will do for a fee.

The VA will provide replacement medals at no charge to the Veteran if still alive. So get yours replaced, tell your Dad, brother, sister, cousin or whomever to get their medals replaced. You, the recipient may not be too proud of them but your descendants will be no matter where they where obtained.

I would rather have the originals but the replacements will suffice.

Now my question.

The flag has been folded a little off kilter, the stars are not sitting horizontal. Would you have the flag refolded or leave it the way it is? The picture shows how it was folded when given to my Mom at the gravesite. The funeral home will refold the flag if we request it.

20150219_131556.jpg

20150219_131540.jpg
Cut the one piece of wood with the sap wood (lighter colored wood)on the outside by mistake. Still looks OK I think. Proves it was made by me.[:)]
20150219_131622.jpg

Plug for the material suppliers:

American Walnut (Black Walnut) obtained from Swords Walnut Shop, www.swordswalnutshop.com. Great guy named Vern. He will mill the wood to any length, width, or thickness you need.

The plaque obtained from Halex Awards and Gifts, www.halexawards.com.

14th_armored.jpg

I will post the completed dispay once its all together.

Oh yea, also built the deck you see the case sitting on several years ago. Brothers and our families got together and built the deck for a Father's Day gift.

Comments

  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • Ditch-RunnerDitch-Runner Member Posts: 25,388 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am sure your family will treasure it , It has the connection of your dad and of you.[;)]
    very nice work
  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    Very tastefully done...
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You should be very proud. Great job[^][^][^][^][^][^][^][^][^][^][^][^]
  • cranky2cranky2 Member Posts: 3,236 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Very nice I would leave it the way it is. Having folded a few flags at grave sites it's not easy to get then perfect. The flags are new and have never been folded. We do the best we can sometimes in very poor conditions.
  • wiz1997wiz1997 Member Posts: 1,051 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cranky2
    Very nice I would leave it the way it is. Having folded a few flags at grave sites it's not easy to get then perfect. The flags are new and have never been folded. We do the best we can sometimes in very poor conditions.


    cranky2
    Thanks for the reply and doing what you do. The Military Honor Guard did an excellent job with the playing of Taps and folding the flag. No Gun Salute since it was at a private cemetery.

    At first I was considering having it refolded but the more I look at it the more I am OK with it. Besides I've read where some believe the spirit of the deceased is enclosed in the flag and should remain there. Can't let him fall out.[:)]

    Damn, dust in my eyes again.
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Looks real good.[;)]
  • toolmaniamtoolmaniam Member Posts: 3,213
    edited November -1
    Very nice work.
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Looks very nice.[:)] I would leave the flag be as well.
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • BoatsBoats Member Posts: 414 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You did a great job on that box and I thank you for holding your Father in honor as he should be. I would leave the flag the way that it is. Thanks for showing it to us.
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another vote for leaving the flag as folded. I didn't want to say anything, but since others have, I Think it is just fine the way they folded it. You did your father proud with the display box. I have seen a few, but none as nice as this one. Dad would be very proud of you[;)][^] God bless your father and you. Oakie
  • onepopperonepopper Member Posts: 1,825 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,640 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Great job wiz. I'm so happy that you posted this because I have had a similar question about my late dad's flag. I lost him almost 30 years ago and about 10 years ago my sister gave me his flag. It was not cased and I bought an oak one immediately. The stars are not positioned as I would like and thought about going to my American Legion post and ask about refolding it. I thought her young kids might have partially unfolded it. I'm so happy that I didn't.
    Thanks,
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
  • RadarRadar Member Posts: 2,313 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Very nice ! I would also leave the flag as is,i did with my Dads and it was off a little as well.A lot of the guys never got their medals just their ribbons,my Dad never got his and said he was not worried about them now,i got them for him anyway and put them in his case which i made too.You have done a very nice job and he will be proud you made it for him.
  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
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