“Operation Respect” :: Ohio Military Reserve Association

“Operation Respect”
Posted by: ohmra on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 12:00 AM
Each year since 2001, I’ve had the honor of coordinating “Operation Respect” with The Andersons stores in Toledo. Operation Respect collects faded, worn & torn flags to be respectfully retired as prescribed in the U.S. Flag code.

This year, Boy Scouts and members of the Pershing Rifles from the University of Toledo staffed the collection posts. Each year we accept 2,000 to 3,000 flags and occasionally, a flag is turned in along with a story.

It was surprisingly sunny & warm for an Ohio November. Even amidst the bustle of the Saturday morning errands at The Andersons, many people walked up to the Operation Respect volunteers with an air of quiet reverence, carefully handing their worn flags to the Scouts & soldiers… usually with a quiet smile, a soft, “Thank you.”
Probably a hundred flags had already been turned in when a gentleman approached Pershing Rifle’s SGT Jasmine Tropf. He shook her hand with both of his and thanked her for her service. When he released her hand, there was a small, folded American flag in her palm. It was about 4 by 6 inches, stained & dirty. “This was my younger brother’s,” he said. “He carried it in his breast pocket in Vietnam. That’s where it was when he was killed there. Another soldier from his unit brought it back to me and told me he knew my brother would have want me to have it.” He paused a moment, then said, “I think it’s time to let go, I know my brother would want me to retire this the right way.” Then he walked away.
Probably 40 years have passed since this man lost his little brother. His loss was still felt, and a grateful brother wanted to honor his brother’s sacrifice once more. We don’t know his name but we will honor his service and the wishes of his older brother. In doing so, we also honor & commemorate the dedication & sacrifice of all our brothers & sisters in uniform.

I thought about what the American flag meant to that soldier. It was so important to him that he carried it to his death. I reflected on how soldiers in the OHMR dedicate their time & talents to serving, and it brought to mind the burgee flag of Ohio that was recently added to our uniforms. It’s also a symbol of the values we uphold and represents the fact that who wear it will do whatever it takes to protect and promote the rights & freedoms we hold so dear.

Some of us have served overseas in combat, and some of us have served solely here in Ohio. Nevertheless, I believe all of us share the selfless spirit of our nation and are thankful to be an American.

Have a safe and blessed Veterans’ Day.

Jim Nowak, 1st VP, OHMRA