Soldiers Raise, Fly American Flags to be Sent to United States

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Van Williams

[SandRat]

Multi-National Security Transition Command- Iraq J4 observed the July 4th holiday by raising flags to be sent to the United States. U.S. Army Col. Keith Kodalen receives the flag from U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Rosa Harmon. Photo by Van Williams, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq.

BAGHDAD — July fourth, the day of American independence, was celebrated in the International Zone with special flag raising ceremonies by Soldiers with Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq (MNSTC-I). The flags, after being raised and flown here, will be sent to servicemembers, family and friends in the United States.

U.S. Army Col. Keith Kodalen, MNSTC-I, J4 commander, led his section in the first of many flag raisings on this patriotic day.

"The command receives requests from servicemembers, family and friends back home to have a flag that was flown over Baghdad," Kodalen said, standing next to 40 boxes of flags waiting to be raised.

The stars and stripes were purchased from the Post Exchange and will be sent back to the States with a certificate signed by the MNSTC-I commanding general, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick.

"Today is special because we get to pay tribute and honor our nation by flying the flag," Kodalen said.

NOTE:  Please do not contact MNF-I to request flags flown in Iraq.  Please go through your servicemember's home unit in the United States to make such a request.

[SandRat]

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[mystery-ak]

My husband and then my son had this done for a few close friends here on FR..in appreciation for thier support..they know who they are....

[kalee]

My mother will receive the flag flying where my brother is deployed for the next 6 months. She presented the flag to them as a gift.

[353FMG]

Awesome. I wonder if the CIC approved of this blatant symbol of patriotism.

[Ax]

My daughter sent me one from Bagram Airfield. It had flown for nine minutes and 11 seconds on 9-11-2008. Some good friends sent me one as a wedding present in Jan 2003. That one had flown over the embassy in Kabul.

[MozartLover]

During my son’s first deployment he sent me the flag that had flown over his FOB (Camp Buehring in Kuwait) on my birthday. What a treasure.