Pocket flags sent abroad as reminder of home

Eleven-year-old Lluvia Sanchez neatly tucked the corners of a miniature United States Flag until all that was left was a perfect triangle. On the backside of a notecard explaining the pocket flag was made especially for military serving in Afghanistan, Lluvia wrote a personal thank you: “God blesses you and guides you on your way.”

“I think they'll appreciate it,” she said. “They work so hard for us and it's really difficult.”

Lluvia was part of two classes at Milton Elementary School who put together dozens of pocket flags recently with the help of women from the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 17 of Lewes.

“We teach patriotism in the schools, love of country and where you live,” said Judi Whitman, national security chairman for the legion. “Our mission is to make lives better for military members and their families.”

The flags will be sent to Afghanistan to remind servicemen that they are appreciated home, Whitman said.

Messages, such as one that said, “Thank you for keeping us free,” are a welcome reminder of home, she said.

Fifth-grader Matthew Drumheller, 10, said he let the troops who will receive his pocket flags know that they are remembered at home.

“I hope they really like it,” he said.