Martin's Flag Shop

11/11/2023

07/04/2023

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

06/14/2023

It's FLAG DAY!!! Sorry for the late post, I've been helping get those flags flying!❤️🇺🇸💙

06/06/2023

The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner
BY RANDALL JARRELL

From my mother’s sleep I fell into the State,
And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.
Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,
I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.
When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.

----

If you were a machine gunner on a B-17 during the second world war, the ball turret was without question, the last place you wanted to be. Conditions were impossibly cramped. Temperatures at altitude were often 40 or 50 below zero. There was no room to move or stretch or turn around, for hours at a time. Sometimes, for many hours.

4,735 B-17's were shot down during the war, most with crews of ten men. Some survived, but very few in the ball turret did. And yes, those who perished were often washed out with a hose.

Not a pleasant thing to contemplate, but it's D-Day, and some things shouldn't be forgotten.

05/29/2023

On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation's battle heroes.
❤️🇺🇸💙

05/28/2023

Why is Memorial Day the last Monday in May?
For decades, the holiday was celebrated on May 30. It wasn't until 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which made it an official federal holiday and changed it to be celebrated on the last Monday of May. ❤️🇺🇸💙

05/27/2023

"Memorial Day is how we honor the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Airwomen, and Marines who did not return home. The holiday dates back to the months immediately following the Civil War when a few towns and cities began honoring their dead."❤️🇺🇸💙

05/26/2023

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The holiday began as a way to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War, but the day now honors all U.S. veterans who have sacrificed their lives.❤️🇺🇸💙

03/23/2023

On Saturday, March 25, at 11 am, the public is welcome to join us in paying tribute to all local Vietnam Veterans whose names are forever inscribed on the 80% replica Vietnam Wall at 2122 O’Day Road, Fort Wayne, IN.

National Vietnam Veterans Day is actually on March 29th but the Veterans Memorial Shrine and Museum will pay their respects on Saturday March 25th so more Vietnam Veterans and families can attend.

The program will include an Honor Guard from Marine Corp League #1435. Thomas Schmitt will read the soldiers prayer and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem will be performed by Lisa McDavid. Commander Greg Bedford will introduce the guest speaker former Chief Warrant Officer Jeff Goshert. Jeff is a local veteran who flew helicopters in Vietnam. Following Mr. Goshert’s remarks, a total of 12 Vietnam Veterans from the area, will read the names of all Allen County soldiers and veterans from surrounding counties who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms in Vietnam.

Teresa Collins, a retired Air Force nurse, will read the names of all 8 women nurses whose names appear on the wall, in honor of National Women’s Month. Wreaths from various organizations will be placed at the wall. Eric Johnson, Vice Commander, will deliver closing remarks followed by the playing of taps by Thomas Schmitt.

We hope to see you there!

12/22/2022

Rain+cold=ice+(ice x snow)÷wind to the power of 55+/- = MeSsY CoNdItIoNs. If you can, take those flags down before it starts. ❤️🇺🇸💙