I read the following article, and was reminded that patriotism still exists. I find this a beautiful ending to a life tragically short. This came from the 3 December 2007 Army Times. Please pardon the length, as I do not believe most people without military installation have access to this source.
"A pair of flags has helped the father of a Texas soldier killed in Iraq fulfill his son's final wish.
Pfc. Nathan Given was killed 27 December 2006, when a roadside bomb detonated while he was patrolling Baghdad.
Weeks before he died, Given had called his father, Scott Given, and told him avout an idea he had to raise money for the Shriners Burn Hospital by auctioning off an American flag flown in Iraq. Scott Given was reminded about his son's final wish after reaching out by e-mail to some of the soldiers Nathan Given fought alongside in Iraq with the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
The solodiers sent two flags that had flown over a patrol base near Jumbalatiyah, Iraq. A flag auctioned 17 Nov raised $4000.oo. After purchasing the flag, the unknown buyer then gave it back to Scott Given, who said the generosity made him "cry like a baby." The other flag raised $20000.oo in another auction.
"It's the last thing I can do for him," Scott Given said. "I wanted to honor his wishes.""
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