There’s something powerful about the American flag — the way it represents sacrifice, freedom, and the men and women who have given so much to protect it. I lost my father, an Army Vietnam veteran, a few years ago. That’s why I started making wooden flags in my garage workshop — as a small way to say thank you to all our veterans.
It began when a friend of mine asked if I could make a wooden flag for her father, a Vietnam vet. I’d never built one before, but I was all in. I dug into the design, picked out the best boards I had, and carefully burned and stained each stripe to give it a weathered, rustic feel. By the time I carved the stars and sealed it up, I knew this project was something special.
The look on her father’s face when he received it? That was all the confirmation I needed.
Since then, I’ve made dozens more — each one a little different, but all built with the same purpose: honor and respect. Some go to local vets, some are given as gifts, and some are commissioned by families wanting to honor loved ones. I always make sure to take my time, because it’s more than wood and paint — it’s a symbol of pride.
Every flag is handmade right here in my garage, with tools covered in sawdust and music playing in the background. I don’t rush it. These pieces mean something, and I treat them that way.
This is one of the most meaningful parts of what I do, and I’m proud to keep doing it. If you’re a veteran reading this — thank you. You are appreciated more than words can say.