[Grampa Dave]

Billie thanks so much!

What a great picture of Logan, Diver Dave's grandson.

We all love our children at what ever age from babies to functional adults. When those grandchildren are loaned to us by God, something special happens. Also, you realize that you have to start taking out the lefty garbage to make sure that these special gifts/loans from God will have the same opportunities what we have had.

One quick story about flags and grandchildren. About 2 months after 9/11 we visited our Son, DIL, and grandchildren. I was met at the door by my Grand Daughter, with her Pink Walking hat on and wearing her pink walking shoes. She hugged me and said, "Walk Papa!"

So we started walking in the neighborhood and she was pointing out the flags. We discussed as much as you can with a two year old about the flag. I taught her how to salute the flag, and she did a great job.

Flash forward, a few weeks, she and her family came to visit us and stay over for Thanksgiving. She wanted walk around our house. I saw her looking around the house and looking at me in a funny way. Then she said, "Where's Papa's flag.?" All we had were some small flags as flags had been sold out in our home area since 9/12.

I finally got a big flag and on their next trip up, her parents showed her the flag as they pulled into the driveway. It hangs out on staff by our carport for all to see each day.

I went out and she was standing and saluting it. I joined her.

This morning that flag went out when I got up as it has every morning since I got it. On holidays, like this week, I have another flag even bigger that goes up for the holidays. She really likes seeing the two flags.

Thanks again, Billie and Aquamarine. Thank you Jim Robinson for making Free Repbublic available and for what it means to us.

[lodwick]

Thanks for the story about your granddaughter and The Flag. ;-)

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' Papa. Beautiful flag story with your grand-daughter.

On a few occasions, our other grandson has come to visit and stops at the flag to recite the Pledge or sing "America."

The Bible tells us not to have a prideful heart, but it sure is hard when we marvel at what He has blessed us with - be it our children or grandchildren.

PR 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (NIV)

[Billie]

You DID get here, Dave! Good! And what a sweet story about your granddaughter and the flags!

Hope your fishing trip is great fun, and be sure and check the thread again when you get back, so you can read the later posts to you!

[.30Carbine]

Congratulations, Grampa Dave! You are the bestest, coolest, fishinest, most patriotic grampa any of us could dream of. What a delight it is to get to know you through FR. You really are one of the finest here...or anywhere.

Thank you for all you do, all the places you do it. God bless you and multiply you!