About a year and a half ago, the Roselle (NJ) American Legion burned down. The only thing that could be saved was an American Flag which - miraculously - wasn't burned even though it had been on the second floor. Which was level with the ground afterwards.
Yesterday was the grand opening of their new hall. Sparky knows a lot of these guys (having been past Commander of a nearby post), and he was part of the Marine Corps Color Guard participating in the event.
I went along and took pictures (which was sweet because with Sparky's hands full of flag-duty, I got both cameras to myself. Telephoto AND wide angle!).
The Miracle Flag is in many of the photos. The firemen who rescued it are all in the last shot.
I can't being to describe how privileged I feel every time I'm at something like this, with so many vets. It's an honor to be among them and if I'd appreciated at 18 what they have done, I would have enlisted myself.