January 31, 2008
Venerable flag returns to battle
The tattered American flag was probably crisply new when Allen Hoe purchased it in 1967 outside a U.S. military base in Chu Lai, Vietnam. He held onto it after his tour of duty, having pledged to give it to the family of a fallen comrade once his remains were recovered. Lt. Frederick Ransbottom’s remains were not returned until 2006, when his familly refused to accept the flag that had been held in his memory. The flag had chalked up a remarkable history over the years and they wanted it to continue its service. I think they made a good decision.
It was carried by soldiers from Schofield Barracks in Afghanistan in 2005. It was with Allen Hoe’s son, Nainoa Kealiihokuhelelani Hoe, when he died under sniper fire near Mosul in Iraq in 2005. Since then it has been to South Korea, to Iwo Jima and twice more to Iraq. On January 22, the third anniversary of Nainoa’s death, the flag and his memory were honored in Iraq, where it had once again been carried by Hawai’i’s Stryker brigade.
“It’s really about legacy and honoring the memories of soldiers like Nainoa and those who have gone before,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Mackey, the 2nd Squadron commander, who also was one of the Hawai’i soldier’s commanders on the 2004 deployment to Mosul.
Read the entire story about Nainoa and this remakable flag in The Honolulu Advertiser. Whatever our political stance on the current war, it’s a reminder that we all owe a tremendous debt to those who have served and those who serve today. Today I salute the memory of Nainoa Kealiihokuhelelani Hoe, who gave his all. I also salute that ragged flag. In the words of one who said it better than I ever could:
” ’Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
~Francis Scott Key~
Source and photo credit: The Honolulu Advertiser
[tags]American flag, American soldiers, honor, Iraq[/tags]
Posted by skeet @ 12:45 pm • Society & culture
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January 31st, 2008 at 12:58 pm, Whim Says:
Thanks for sharing this Skeet.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:05 pm, skeet’s stuff » Share some Good Stuff Says:
[…] My own contribution this week is about a flag with an amazing history. […]
February 1st, 2008 at 4:25 am, corrin Says:
Wow…if flags could talk! That’s an amazing story.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:15 am, skeet Says:
You’re welcome Whim. I think it’s a story that needed a little airtime outside of Hawaii.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:16 am, skeet Says:
Ain’t it the truth, Corrin? That flag is part of the history of so many who have served.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:47 pm, Mrs. Mecomber Says:
Yay! What a great story!!!
February 8th, 2008 at 12:15 am, skeet Says:
The story about the flag really warmed my heart, Mrs. Mecomber. I hope it flies for a long, long time to honor the lives of those it has touched.