I’ve had my Uncle Bob’s flag since the 1990s. Randomly, earlier this year, my Dad became obsessed with getting a case for it. I kept putting it off. I mean, I’d had it for 30 years, and it was safe in a box of keepsakes. But all of a sudden, he wanted to get a case for it. He would call to tell me he was looking for one, then call again to tell me he’d ordered it, that it was on its way, and ask when I could come pick it up.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get a little overwhelming. My Dad had a way of getting under my skin with his fixations on things that didn’t seem nearly as urgent to me as they did to him.

Now he and my uncle are both gone, and I have this flag in its case. Something that reminds me of both of them. This is the first Veterans Day that the flag is properly displayed, thanks to my Dad. Turns out it was more important than I realized.

Thank you to all who have served.

tr/trp