Your Flag Can Fly Over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Last week, while leading a funeral procession for a World War II veteran, I was made aware of the fact that you can submit your own flag to be flown at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I know many of you who have a flag that holds a special meaning to you. We take great pride in the flags we carry on motorcycles, fly at our homes or place of work and bury our loved ones with. (Read about my personal flags with special meaning including one that was in 63 combat missions.)

I have two flags that I fly with very special meaning. One of them is the flag I took with me on June 4, 2011 to Topeka, Kansas when I first went out to encounter the Westboro Baptist Church which eventually led to the forming of a national group called Journey 4 Justice. The second flag I have, which I alternate between, actually flew on a AC-130H gunship called the Gravedigger.

This past week, while leading the funeral procession of United States Army Corporal Howard Achziger, Jr., a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, I was told that anyone can send a flag to Arlington National Cemetery to be flow for 24 hours over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before being returned to you. If this is something that may interest you or you know of someone who would be interested, just follow these easy steps by including:

• The sender's name, address, telephone number, and email address (if available)
• One U.S. Flag (footage sizes 3X5, 4X6, 5X8, or 6X10 - are accepted)
• A self-addressed return package with pre-paid postage for returning the flag to the sender
• Arlington National Cemetery cannot accept cash, money order, or checks for return postage. We accept FEDEX, USPS, UPS, First Class/Priority mail. If you choose to ship UPS, please ensure that your pre-printed return shipping label includes the shipping cost as well as the charges for picking up the package from Arlington National Cemetery. UPS will not pick packages unless the pick -up costs are included when the return label is scanned.
• The name of the person or organization for which the flag will be flown. If the individual is/was military, please provide the service member's rank and service component.

It normally takes about 3 weeks before getting your flag back accompanied by a certificate of authenticity with your name, or business name, along with the date it was flown. To submit your request, please follow the above guidelines and then mail to Arlington National Cemetery, C/O: Commemorative Flag Flying Request, Arlington, VA 22211-5003