Flagpole man

 His workshop was a place of memories he developed over fifty-plus years. He learned to love wood and discovered early on that he could turn nothing into something. He made baby cradles, playpens, mailboxes, and hand-crafted tables and chairs. But the one simple thing he enjoyed making was flag poles. He was known as the flagpole man, and people came from far away to purchase a one-of-a-kind finished product made especially for them. He catered more to veterans and their families, who gave him the information he needed to create their particular pole. Many nights, he could be found sanding and cutting, staining and grinding as he made another pole.

Some had the name of a fallen soldier and the date. For some, he carved a soldier's company name or the name of a Navy ship. He met with or called on the families, asking questions about their loved ones to get some perspective on their lives, which he would carefully incorporate into every pole. The most important part to him was carving the name and time in service with a woodburning tool, a slow but fulfilling task. Each pole was topped off with a wooden eagle that he painstakingly carved by hand with the same tools his father used decades ago. When his customers came to pick up their poles, many tears flowed, and hugs were given as just saying thank you didn't seem enough. Today is Independence Day, and all through the country, his poles will secure the flags that honor our nation with pride and respect. That is more than he could have ever hoped for as he looks outside at his flag flying in the summer breeze.

Mike 2024