Best of America: The Flag Ladies of Freeport, Maine

These patriotic women make supporting our troops a weekly mission.

By Bridget Nelson Monroe
From Reader's Digest
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Watch the Video of the Flag Ladies Supporting U.S. Troops.
Watch the Video of the Flag Ladies Supporting U.S. Troops.
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It happens on Tuesdays from 8 to 9 a.m. on Main Street in a coastal Maine village.

A trio of retired housemates -- Carmen Footer, Elaine Greene, and JoAnn Miller -- wear coordinating outfits, wave American flags, and accept supportive honks from passing drivers. What began as a spontaneous act of patriotism in the days following 9/11 has turned into a way of life for the Freeport Flag Ladies, as they call themselves.

When troops went to Afghanistan and then Iraq, the women expanded their mission. Almost weekly, they drive more than two hours to the airport in Bangor to send off soldiers or greet those returning home, snapping pictures all the while. The photos are uploaded to freeportflagladies.com and treasured by relatives across the country. "The grateful e-mails we receive from families are what gives us the faith to go on," Greene says.

The three women forgo vacations, movies, and dinners out and use their money to buy presents for the troops: toiletries, candy, and whimsical toys (Hot Wheels are a favorite). Soldiers stationed in Afghanistan also ask for school supplies they can hand out to local children. "We like to send things that make them smile," Greene explains, "and show them that America cares."
From Reader's Digest - July 2008
 
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First off, I went through Bangor, MA on my way home from Iraq in 2006 and I can say firsthand what these women are doing makes a huge difference in our servicemens' lives.While I will not dispute that the Flag Code makes wearing a flag on clothing illegal as Geina said,"Pick a different battle." Vezza just out of curiosity, do you consider all the pro athletes that wore the flag on their uniforms after 9/11 in a show of solidarity desecrators as well? Because the flag code says that is wrong too

By Jason1981, on 07/02/2008
. i, too was shocked and appalled by the demonstration i saw of my precious flag being flown by the illeagal aliens. But to refer to what these wonderful ladies are so selflessly doing as a desecration is beyond the pail.As the mother of a young marine who is preparing for his 2nd tour in iraq. with 3 thanksgivings & 2 christmases, apart, let me assure you that a photo of my baby smiling with one of these ladies as he deploys brings me comfort. pick a different battle. God bless these ladies.

By GEINA, on 06/24/2008
While it is honorable and wonderful what these ladies are doing for the troops. They need to know that wearing the United States flag is a desecration. I too was ignorant of the Flag Rules and Regulations until I saw our flag flown upside down in an illegal alien demonstration. Then I got educated. You can see all the regs. here: http://www.ushistory.org/BETSY/flagetiq.html Wearing the flag is just as much a desecration as burning the flag. We all need to get educated.

By vezza, on 06/19/2008
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