EVERY AMERICAN owes a debt to our military and to its courageous heroes who, for over two-and-one-half-centuries, have served, protected, defended, and preserved every American citizen’s precious freedoms. Freedoms that every generation of Americans received either at birth or by choice. This “Gift of Freedom,” is only made possible through the selfless service and sacrifices made by the members of our nation’s armed forces, past, present, and future.

As the author of The Flags of Freedom Trilogy, and after over two years of researching and writing this first volume in the three-book series, I’m much more aware of this unspoken debt than ever before. It’s a debt that I am reminded of every time I see our beautiful “Stars and Stripes” flying in a clear, blue sky. But I become especially aware of this blessing when I glance up at the folded triangular flag in its display case that hangs on my office wall directly in front of my desk where I’ve invested so much time and energy in researching and writing these books. This flag in particular, is a very special reminder of the debt that I personally owe to my country and to the many veterans who gave their “…last ounce of devotion” to guarantee this precious legacy of freedom. Here’s why this flag is so special to me.

When I was 10-years-old, in 1960, my “Uncle Frank” a Master Sergeant who served in the Army before, during, and after World War II, suddenly passed away as the result of a heart attack. Like his wife, and my mother, his beloved younger sister, I was devastated at his loss. His funeral, accompanied by an Army Color Guard, and bugler, was my first experience with the military other than seeing my Uncle Frank wearing his uniform.

I wept as the flag on my uncle’s coffin was expertly and respectfully folded into a triangle, which was then solemnly and reverently presented to my Aunt Florence by an Army Officer who in hushed tones said to her,

“On behalf of the president of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.“

The ceremony was deeply moving to me, and one that made a permanent impression on this young boy. To this day, it still remains fresh in my memory even after the passing of some sixty-five years.

I’m proud and grateful that upon my Aunt Florence’s passing some years later, that she left me this precious flag in her will, because as Uncle Frank was one of my namesakes, she knew that I dearly loved and respected him. I was always in awe of this tall, slim, easy-going, and elegant balding man who always seemed to be smiling in his starched khaki uniforms with all of its insignias, patches, and ribbons that I didn’t fully understand the meaning of at the time. Also on the wall in front of me, just below the case that holds the triangular flag that once covered his coffin, is another case that displays his World War II and other medals. Medals that he earned for defending our freedomas in North Africa and during the D-Day campaign in France.

One thing that I vividly remember about Uncle Frank’s uniform, were his always highly polished brown shoes. As a very small child, he would sit on the sofa in our home with his legs crossed, and then bounce me up and down on those brown shoes to let me “ride the pony!” I can still see those shiny brown shoes and feel the joy associated with them!

I’m sharing these memories with you because when I first began researching this book back in January of 2022, I decided that I would try to find a way to give something back to my country for the many freedoms that I’ve enjoyed over my seventy-five years as an America citizen. Freedoms that I had done little to earn myself. Freedoms that men and women like my Uncle Frank paid for through their service and sacrifice to our country.

After over two years of researching and writing The Flags of Freedom Trilogy, and telling the stories of the many Patriots who sacrificed so much to give me, and every American, those same freedoms that I received, I decided that I needed to find a way of “Giving-Back” to the country that has always given me so much for so little effort on my part in return. It was then that I conceived “The Flags of Freedom Gives-Back to America” Awards Program.”

This program allows me, and the readers who buy and read my books, to contribute a portion of the net profits from every book sold to a worthy nonprofit organization that either serves the members of our nation’s military, past or present; or that serves our national flag and symbol of freedom, by preserving, restoring, or educating the public about it.

I’m happy to announce that with your purchase of any of the books in “The Flags of Freedom Trilogy,” that 10% of net-profits will be awarded to one of twelve (12) annual recipients of the “Flags of Freedom Gives-Back to America Awards Program.” My goal is to help these nonprofit organizations continue to make a difference in the lives of our military’s active-duty service members and veterans; or to fund flag education about our national symbol, the “Stars & Stripes,” particularly for young Americans, or by preserving America’s historic flags for future generations.

So, thanks for purchasing “Flags of Freedom—The Quest for Freedom!” and for helping get the word out to your family, friends, followers, and colleagues about the “Gives-Back” program. You and I together, along with these twelve worthy nonprofit service organizations whose missions are to serve our veterans, our flag, and the citizens of our exceptional nation, will help make a positive difference in the country that has done so much for each of us while expecting so little in return.

Gratefully, Yours in Freedom,

Franklin

Walter Franklin Davis, Author