[Lightningbolt]

Although the project is almost finished at this point I thought that you might like to see what's been in the making since about January. As scoutmaster of our resident scout troop I've always made sure that the boys get the flag raised each morning then lead the Pledge Of Allegiance. Unfortunately when it is taken down each evening the only place to put it has been in the window sill so I made a "pledge" to fix this problem and to give "Ole Glory" the respect that she deserves!

Over the last three months I've taken a few select woodshop students to help me with this project whenever we could find the time and arrangements between an already busy and hecktic daily schedule. Since January we've finally just about completed the box and it should be up and in service before the end of the week!

We used maple for the box since the local furniture companies donate lumber to our program much faster than we can ever find a use for it. Just for an extravagant flare we did splurge and put a mahogony lip on the lid. After getting a close measurement of the flag folded up, we slightly increased these measurements for the three triangular sides of the box then connected using wood screws, glue, then plugged with a dowel. For a bottom we routed out a 1/4" rabbet and just used birch plywood.

The lid was a little more complicated. First we laminated enough maple boards and connected them with a biscuit joiner, then routed out a 3/8" rabbet for inserting the clear plexiglass. The mahogany lip was then attached with wood screws like the sides were done.

That completes the 5 picture limit for this post and I will continue on the next post in a couple of minutes...

[Lightningbolt]

These pictures show how we began chip carving "God Bless America" on the lid. No pictures yet but we have attached the lid with hinges and I betcha that we've gone through a package of steel wool sanding that baby!

The final coating of polyurethane was applied late this afternoon and if luck hold out then we should have it mounted on the wall later this week... if there are no unexpected delays.

[Lightningbolt]

And it's done.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You and the scouts did a great job! There is a group I saw on the internet sometime back that are making 3 corner flag boxes to give to the next of kin of troops killed in action...worthy cause!

[whitecree]

Excellent! And I'm sure the families that recieve those keepsake boxes will appreciate them.

[Lightningbolt]

That is a good idea indeed and something that I'd like to explore further at upcoming roundtable meetings then possibly with the Veterans Administration. First, you've aroused my curiosity and I'm wondering just what other scout troops in the region of our local council might be doing for our troops and/or their families. Perhaps we can do more.

Speaking of flag boxes for veterans, I thought that I'd also attach a few pictures of the one that I made for my own father and the flag that was presented to us by the Veterans Administration upon his passing in 1998. He proudly served his country as part of the "Greatest Generation" on a Navy destroyer from 1941 until the end of WWII. I spent the next six months following his death designing and building the box which has ten different species of wood laminated into it in honor of his life as a lifetime woodworker. My dad had his own backyard sawmill as I was growing up and a great woodshop which obviously had a great influence upon my love of working with wood.

This box is at least a third larger than the one posted above since the military flag was full-size. I also routed in the removeable clear plexiglass cover into the top of the boxes' sides instead of inside the lid top since I display dads flag sitting flat on a shelf with the top opened. The flag box posted above was made to be attached to the wall of our dining hall.

Anyhow, please enjoy and God Bless all of those presently serving in the armed forces, those who have ever served, AND their families!

[Bigredcarver]

YOu should be very proud of your self..that is wonderful work!!! Both of them!!!

[Mottles]

Wonderful Dave!
Kathy

[squbrigg]

Great projects Dave, they both honour and respect the fine folks who those flags represent. They teach great lessons to the Scouts as they help make them, something they will remember and cherish during their lives to come.

Bob

[AlArchie]

Excellent project, Dave, and a great idea for respectfully caring for the flag in the evening!

Al