So I’m wondering what a US flag that flew over a base in Iraq would sell for on, say, Ebay. I have about 10 of them so I’m not really against selling them. I’ve got flag certificates signed by the Brigade commander but unfortunately they’re made out to my family and relatives. I never gave them the flags…don’t know why. With all the military people in my family, I can’t imagine they’d be too excited about getting them anyway.
How much would you pay for one?
How could I prove the authenticity? Post a picture of the certificate or is that wierd to buy someone else’s flag?
Do you think I could make some extra cash sending GIs some flags to fly for me, or would it not be worth the effort?
I’ve brought back a few trips from both my tours in Iraq but those were made for people who have supported me, whether it be my mom’s office who sent me a big box o’crap or my best friend who would talk to me and help me get through a long, tiring night.
The way I look at it, those are/should be personal things, not sold to the highest bidder.
Though I would say if the Brigade Commander made the certificates out to your family/friends, THOSE are who the flags were expected to go to, and you would be in error to send them elsewhere or sell them.
I can’t really think of what to say about that. It’s disturbing that you want to sell them. I mean, they are yours but it seems somehow wrong to sell them. I think of all the people that died while they were flying – I just don’t know what to make of this. I guess it depends on what it means to you personally. Shit. I got nothin’.
I don’t really object to you selling them, so long as you’re not stiffing someone who wanted one.
Like your Aunt Frieda who you told you’d bring one home for, had the CO fill out the certificate for, but you’ve been too lazy to give it to. If any of them fall into that category then you should hand them over.
But if the proposed recipients don’t want them, I don’t see a problem with you selling them. But I doubt you’d get much for them. This guy’s got 5 of them forr sale now: buy-it-now @ $15.99.
You want to hawk a flag from a war zone (to some, an illegal war) for a profit? You do realize that by doing so, behind all of those individuals who took the trouble of flying that flag for you, you are completely disrespecting their work by selling them. At the least, give them away to neighbors or friends, or some local kids at a school, or something . . . but there’s just too much pride put into those flags to be sold as ‘war zone souvenirs’.
I mean, yeah, it is just a piece of fabric, but the emotions, memories, and spirits that go with it . . . how dare you put a price on that?
Do I have a leg to stand on? I have a flag my Congresswoman’s office sent to me back in 2001. That flag has been with me on three overseas deployments, two stateside deployments, a handful of other TDYs; I’ve reenlisted four Airmen underneath it, and my wife and I had it flown on the John Rutledge House on the day we got married. Yeah, I know it’s cliche, but there’s a story behind that flag–and there’s a story behind those that you have too.
Bottom line, I think selling that story is in poor taste. Pass that story along, but don’t sell it.
I have to agree with the general consensus here. Hub was stationed at Salerno, Afghanistan when it was an FOB (Forward Operating Base) and had amenities like a tent and cold running water. He has 2 extra flags that he brought home and I would never consider selling them as a souvenir. Those flags are more than just the sum of their parts. That flag honors all of our soldiers, both living and dead. Honor those brave men and women by donating the flags to a local VFW, Legion, school or church for display.
Ask the people for whom the certs are made out if they want the flags. If so, hand them over. If not, feel free to sell them. I wouldn’t buy one, for the same reason that I’m not getting the outrage some are expressing here, that being that I don’t care much about the flag.
