Old Glory flies above the Bone Crusher's compound.
There are many folks who ask “Is there anything I can do for you?” when they find out that I’m in Iraq…
Up until a few hours ago, my honest answer was, “No, not really, other than send prayers and good feelings to The Big Guy on our behalf…” because, truth be told, they take very good care of us here. We have all the food we could ever want, we have a well-stocked PX, some fast food places, gym and fitness centers, even a theater that runs first run movies…
Now, however, I am learning about a need that (you’d think) our supply system could stay on the top of, but is running into issues (despite our hard-charging supply sergeant’s determination)…
… We need flags… American National Colors…
These flags are to be flown over our CP, and then, with appropriate documentation, sent to the folks who are supporting us, as well as given to every member of the unit, a reminder of the good and faithful service rendered here.
I just have to find them…
The flags that we use are the 2′ 4-7/16″ x 4′6″ flags made by Allied Materials and Equipment Company, Inc.. NSN 8345-00-753-3230. They are of nylon construction, with sewn stripes and embroidered stars. Any flags close to 3′ x 5′ would work as well.
From Kevin comes the following information:
Sgt. B.
Just an FYI, I just talked to Geri at Allied Flag. She will pretty much
let people buy the flags you specified from them and have them shipped
directly to Iraq at a wholesale price. The quantities are 1 to 12
@$17.50 each or 13+ at $17.05 each. They can get 50 flags to a box and
UPS will charge about $40 to ship to Iraq. The address and contact
information below is from their website so I see not problem in posting
it at your site.Allied Flag
1400 Kansas Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64127
Toll Free 1-866-497-FLAG
Fax: 816-241-8881
Email: gsauerwin@alliedproductsinc.com
(In the military, there are different sizes of flags:
Garrison flag – 20 feet hoist by 36 feet fly (1:1.8)
Post flag – 10 feet hoist by 20 feet fly (1:2)
Storm flag – 4 feet 2 inches hoist by 8 feet fly (1:1.92) – the size used for caskets
The Army uses a fourth size, mentioned above, close to 3′ x 5′… The size I’m after.)
Can you help me find them, and get the word out that we need them?
AND… I can bargain…
Send us two flags, and one will be flown above the Bone Crusher CP, and sent back to the donor with the appropriate documentation.
Send us five flags, and the first flag will be flown as above, AND above the Joint Base Balad Headquarters Building.
Ten Flags, and the first flag will be flown above the Bone Crusher CP, JBB HQ, AND the donor’s choice of an F-16, C130, AH-60 Blackhawk, or Predator UAV, all based out of Balad.
A significant number of flags over 20, and we can discuss the above, as well as making sure that the donor’s flag is flown in every type of aircraft mentioned above.
The Golden Donor, 100 flags or more, will receive all of the above, as well as having their flag carried to every Forward Operating Base to which the Bone Crushers travel.
If we’re planning on the 3′ x 5′ flags, but if you want to send a standard storm flag, to cover a casket (Dad has one that was flown aboard his last submarine, and I’m going to “prep” one while I’m here with the “Golden Donor” package, and then stow it in a safe for use in the very distant future), we can do that too.
Flags can be sent to:
Operation Colors Up
c/o SGT W.R. Benson
B Co 1-161 (IN) HQ Plt
JBB, Iraq
APO/AE 09391
Don’t worry about costs to get your flag back to you, we’ve got that covered…
E-mail me for details: hvygunner@gmail.com
