Which flag

**Chas** · 9th June 11, 06:30 AM

If it were me I would use your flag - for the simple reason that it is your flag. It is imbued with your experiences and should, quite rightly, follow your career.

Your mother has put you, unfairly, in an impossible position and given you a guilt trip. Not wishing to be morbid, but if you feel strongly enough, you could always stipulate the use of your grandfather's flag for your own funeral. It would then create a family history and heirloom. Rather like some families have a christening robe, yours could have a funeral flag.

Civilians can also be patriots. There is the famous quote, "They also serve, who only stand and wait." In the UK, many non-military people are buried under a Union Flag. Is that not possible in the US?

Regards

Chas

**piperdbh** · 9th June 11, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

In the UK, many non-military people are buried under a Union Flag. Is that not possible in the US?

I've never seen or heard of it being done, and I've been to a lot of funerals.

Drac,
If it were me, I'd use my own flag, and keep your grandfather's sealed up in its own box, one reason being that his flag is older than yours and possibly more fragile. It would really be a fine display to have both of them beside each other in their boxes with each of your medals and decorations in matching shadow boxes.

**Highlander31** · 9th June 11, 08:39 AM

Use your own flag. Its history is part of you.

**Coastie** · 9th June 11, 09:16 AM

I would use your flag as well. I used a flag flown from my last ship, in my case as the ship crossed the Arctic circle at the date line. It is a good conversation point when folks ask about the box. I just think your flag is too personal to you to pass up using it.

Now since you have some of your grandfather's awards you could have a shadow box for his service if you wanted to.

**Thor271** · 9th June 11, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Coastie

I would use your flag as well. I used a flag flown from my last ship, in my case as the ship crossed the Arctic circle at the date line. It is a good conversation point when folks ask about the box. I just think your flag is too personal to you to pass up using it.

Now since you have some of your grandfather's awards you could have a shadow box for his service if you wanted to.

I agree with Coastie. I'm in a situation like yours, my Grandfather and I share the same Trade in the EME (Electrical Mechanical Engineers) Branch. We have served on many of the same bases and units, he served in WW2 and Korea, I served in Afghanistan. I have all of his RCEME (Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers) Accoutrements, his Flag and Ribbons, as well as my own. My entire Family is or was in the service, so all of his things came to me as I was the only one to serve in the same Trade, Branch, Element (Army).

I've decided that once I retire I will have my Shadow Box made up from my own and place it beside his. Also when my Father passes I will take all of his "Jimmy Wear" and put it in a shadow box to have all three generations side by each.

I'd throw up a picture but all my things have been packed up in preparation of my moving to my new post.

Good Luck!

**Mickey** · 9th June 11, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Drac,
If it were me, I'd use my own flag, and keep your grandfather's sealed up in its own box, one reason being that his flag is older than yours and possibly more fragile. It would really be a fine display to have both of them beside each other in their boxes with each of your medals and decorations in matching shadow boxes.

My thoughts exactly.

**Spartan Tartan** · 9th June 11, 12:20 PM

I would keep your flag for your shadow box. I would also make a shadow box or some display for your grandpa using his flag.

I have my grandpa's flag sitting about 2 feet behind me in my office at this very moment. It is the first and most prominently displayed item in every office I have ever had and will continue to be so in the future. I still have the shells folded into the flag from the 21 gun salute at the funeral for my grandpa. The flag sits in a box alone with an inscription dedicated to my granpa.

**Detroitpete** · 9th June 11, 12:23 PM

Drac,

I'm a veteran and so was my grandfather. I had the honor of serving in his honor guard at his memorial service. My mother received his burial flag, then later gave it to me. I used it in the memorial box I created for him. I, too have my own flag that will hopefully be used to cover me at my memorial service.

I say, recieve his gift in the manner and honor which it is given and use it to remember him and his service. Use your's for your own purposes.

**Drac** · 9th June 11, 05:06 PM

Thanks all.

I put a post up in a Navy forum to see if anyone there that made shadow boxes (there were a couple) wanted to do trades so we'll see how it goes.

Jim

**Bill aka Mole** · 9th June 11, 08:01 PM

Jim, you might want to check the classifieds in the back of a Navy (or any other) Times to see if there are any shadow box makers advertising there as well, if only for design ideas.

While I have no true idea when my flag flew over my last ship, I like to tell others that it was flying on the day that we recovered over 3,000 pounds of Columbia's other cash crop while on a counter narcotics cruise off of Central America.