Long May It Wave

I grew up in Port Hueneme, California. There is a Seabee base there (branch of the Navy), so I grew up with the military everywhere. I love and respect the sight of a soldier or sailor in uniform, and the American flag always gives me a little thrill.

This flag hangs over my parents' fireplace. Notice how it is faded, and worn at the edges?

My parents flew this flag outside every day that my nephew (their grandson) Josh was serving in Iraq. After he returned, they gave him the flag.

Josh is now serving a tour in Afghanistan. Last week he was home on his mid-tour leave. He had taken the flag with him to Afghanistan, then asked one of the pilots to take the flag with him on one of his missions. Josh returned the flag to my parents and told them it has flown on a mission in Afghanistan. The flag now hangs over the fireplace.

My parents are proud that their grandson serves our country. So am I.