A final tribute

[John(videodoc)]

As i have mentioned before we lost my father last spring to lung cancer. Being a vet he was buried with military rites and given a flag. Well with the boy sandblasting, and the engine off to be gone through i was able to get back into my wood shop this weekend and build a case to display his flag. I used a flag case that was given to me during my military career.

During my last trip home to Iowa i procured several board ft of walnut from one of dads many junk piles. We cut this tree down together in 1980, took it to a saw mill, and stacked it in the shed, and there it has set since. So the item itseld not only has emotional value, but the lumber has memories tied to it. One piece of 8' x 11" provided enough material to make three of these. Seems whenever i do make something, someone else always wants one, so i am ahead of the game.

Anyway the parts list is all lumber planned down to 3/4"
1-base 5" x 23" (routered on 3 edges)
1- bottom front cross piece 1" x 18 3/4" (1/4" dado edge to allow for plexi glass)
2-side uprights 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" (1/4 dado edge to allow for plexi glass) (routered after mounting together with bottom and back supports)(approx 1/2" of this will become a tendon to slide into the bottom piece, see pics)
2-back side uprights -supports 1 7/8 x 12 7/8
plywood/hardboard back 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 18 (estimate)
2 small hinges, 1 hook and loop
1 piece of glass or plexi glass cut to fit opening.
4 - rubber, none skid none scrath bumps ("feet" )

Final product (example i followed)


here is some close up pics of dado's, cuts, and rough framing
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b46/v ... flag-5.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b46/v ... flag-4.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b46/v ... flag-3.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b46/v ... flag-2.jpg

Thought someone out there may wanna make one. Let me know what you think! John

[Don McCombs]

John,

Very nice, and a fitting tribute to your father.

[Jeff Silvey]

John:
Very very nice way to remember your father . I wish I had my dads flag , my sister got it.
Jeff

[Kodiak]

John,
Item's like the flag and case that you have made hold lots of memories that cannot be taken away and can be passed on to future generations.

I have a flag that was given to my great Aunt when my Great-Uncle died. He served in WWI. No one in their immediate family cared to keep his military items so my 3rd cousin gave all of it to me. I did know my Great Aunt & Uncle very well. It's an honor to have the flag.

I'll keep the case info you posted, if there's any more details I'd be interested.

Thanks
Ron

[ljw]

Doc, That is an excellent piece of work and a fine tribute to your dad. Amazingly, my dad and I had the same experience. We had the rough sawn lumber cut into 1" thick boards. It's been stacked in the barn for about 15 years. Last week I posted a pic of a walnut log laying in the bed of my pickup. I did that to poke fun at W6's uncles "stick". Well, years ago my dad and I took that log about an hours drive south to Okeana, OH where we sat there and watched the man go about his work. My dad didn't travel very often and I can still remember that experience we had. Pops passed away in '97 at the age of 81. My dad also had a military funeral and I was presented with the flag. I've had it in my closet ever since. But I'm going to make one of those cases with my wood just like you did. Thanks for sharing. It made me think good thoughts. Larry

[John(videodoc)]

THanks all!

I did add some info to the materials list, explaining it a little more. Hope that helps. Any other questions, or pics not seen let me know. John.

[Rudi]

John:

Very, very nice piece of workmanship. From the pics and the narrative you can tell that this project was an emotional one filled with love and fond, fond memories.

I finally saw an article somewhere about what the folded US Flag means, and with that in mind, and seeing your display case to showcase your Dad's service to your country, brings that meaning a tad bit closer and is a good reminder of the meaning of the folded flag.

I do hope that you keep one set aside for your family, so that when the time comes your children will also have a little extra meaning for memories...

I hope you understand how and what I mean....

Well done, nice article and sure will provide an impetus to other US Vet's or their families to produce one for their own memories..

Bravo Zulu John

[John(videodoc)]

Larry dig that flag out and getter done. Ifn you got any questions just let me know! Same goes to you Ron. Makes an excellent mantle piece. Will be as though he always watching over.

THANKS Rudi, always great to get high praise from one of our exhualted (spelling) forerunners, or is it elderly statesmen?

[John(videodoc)]

All three are done.
Plexiglass is cut, backs are cut. I went with a screwed on back instead of hinged back. One goes to iowa(my dad), one to inlaws(for her dad when that time comes), on to inlaws brothers widow.

john

[Thomas]

Your workmanship says more than words can...grand way to show you fond memories.