Walter knew the flag would make a perfect gift for his son. It stuck out from the rest. For some reason its age made it feel more authentic and valuable. He never noticed the writing at first.
When Walter turned the flag over, he gasped with shock. Recognizing the meaning behind the writing, he now knew the flag's true value. Before he could help it, tears began brimming in his eyes.
A Surprise Trip
Walter Brown was a retired marine who now lived an uneventful life with his wife Lanie. As natives of Texas, the couple spent most of their twilight years traveling and being together.
Lanie loved to shop for antiques. Walter preferred hunting and fishing. When Walter suddenly mentioned he wanted to visit a flea market over 100 miles away, Lanie knew he must have a special reason.
A New Adventure
Lanie trusted that her husband had a good reason for the trip. She didn't mind what it was, so long as they were together. Without any prying, Walter told her the reason himself.
It seemed he had been searching for a special kind of leather holster. As the flea market was a great place to find unusual items, he thought he might find the holster there. Lanie then realized that the flea market might also be a great place to get a special she had also been after.
Familiar Worries
After enduring many stressful years as the young wife of a marine, Lanie had been relieved when Walter reached his retirement safe and sound.
A few years ago, those old fears had returned. Having always admired his father, their son resolved to join Corps too. Now, in what seemed like no time at all, her boy was preparing for his first deployment.
Hitting The Road
As the couple hit the road, Lanie found herself deep in thought. Walter was in a cheerful mood and hummed along to music but Lanie felt anxious.
Lanie hoped she could find something suitable at the market. Once they reached the market, the environment there surprised Lanie. It felt electric, almost like she was meant to go there.
They Felt At Home
The fact that Walter had been so excited to come here made more sense now. Far from being a general kind of flea market, Lanie realized that this was a special market. Most of the stalls seemed to be run by veterans.
As they walked, Walter's eyes were suddenly drawn to a stall that sold American flags. Lanie was a little taken by surprise when he suddenly grabbed her arm and steered her toward it. Lanie knew he had spotted something.
It Was Unique
There were many beautiful flags sold at the stall. However, Walter only seemed to have eyes for one. Lanie was surprised when he picked up one that was dirty and a little worn out.
Lanie tried to make Walter choose a different flag but he refused. "I want this one. It just seems unique. Someone else clearly owned this once. It's like it has its own story."
A Bargain
When Walter called the stall owner over, even he seemed a little confused by Walter's choice. This flag was only $5 whereas the others were all more expensive.
Walter questioned the owner and tried to figure out if the flag's history was known. The owner just shrugged and explained the vendors sourced their stock by purchasing abandoned shipping containers. When asked why it was the cheapest, the owner said, "It has writing on the other side."
It Was Special
Walter grew more excited by the second. He realized that this meant that the flag could have been owned by anyone, even a former soldier.
When Walter turned it over to look at the writing that was mentioned, his jaw dropped. It did have writing but it was far from the kind Walter had expected to see.
They Understood Now
Walter's eyes skimmed through as many of the handwritten messages as he could read. The more he read, the clearer the flag's history became to him.
Emotion welled up inside him. He showed the flag to Lanie. When she also realized what they were looking at, she gasped too and said, "Walter, we have to buy this one."
A Sad Truth
The words “Lance Cpl.” gave Lanie and Walter their first clue. Many of the messages scrawled on it referred to a person with this rank. They knew this rank was unique to the Marine Corps.
The couple soon realized that all the messages written on it made this a “tribute flag”. They were the last goodbye to a fallen Marine. Walter and Lanie immediately knew what they had to do.
The Reunion
Realizing its significance now, the Browns instantly purchased the flag. The messages written on it were all for a Lance Cpl. Fred Maciel. The couple managed to track down Fred’s mother, Patsy.
Arrangements were made to have the flag given to her, in person, at the Calvary Hill Cemetery where her son was buried. The Browns reached the destination expecting to see a private gathering; instead, that was when they first saw all the Marines.
“No Man Left Behind”
A flag ceremony was arranged for Lance Cpl. Fred Maciel’s mother. When the Browns arrived they found themselves surrounded by Fred’s old troopmates, a host of other Marines, and service personnel who all came to honor his life too.
Fred had served in Iraq and tragically been killed in a helicopter crash. The flag, which somehow ended up at the flea market, was finally returned to Fred’s mother nearly ten years after his death.
Meant To Be
Understanding the deep significance of returning a tribute flag to a Marine’s family after their death, the Browns were honored and grateful at being able to do this.
Fred’s mother was deeply touched that they had taken the time to actually personally deliver it to her. Even after all this time, the timing of it held special significance to Patsy Maciel.
She Needed It
Patsy still struggled to cope with the loss of her son. For years she had searched for ways to move past his death. If the flag had been delivered to her when it was supposed to, she may never have found it.
After ten years, she believed that the flag’s sudden appearance was Fred’s last goodbye to her. Through it, she understood that she now had her son’s blessing to move on with life and finally find the closure she needed.