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DETACHMENT'S
NATIONAL COLOR
 The National Color
of our Detachment and its
accoutrements were purchased from
Epic Flags LLC of
Louisville, Kentucky with the personal assistance of its owner, Richard L. Barksdale. Richard
and his family-operated business specialize in meeting the
flag-related requirements of a wide rage of customers—from
private citizens, to the United States Government, to
veterans organizations such as the Marine Corps League.
The National Color measures 52-inches at the
hoist by 66-inches on
the fly, and in the tradition of the Naval Service, it is
without a gold fringe. Its nylon stripes and union are
fully sewn and its stars are embroidered in the
appliqué
fashion. The National
Color is mounted with a felt-lined pole hem to a 9-foot
oak staff (pike), 1¼-inches in diameter. The staff is
finished with chrome-plated metal ferrules and an 8-inch
chrome-plated metal spear finial of the Army pattern mounted
at the top of the staff. The National Color is adorned with an
8-foot cord and two 6-inch tassels comprised of intertwined
strands of red, white, and blue rayon fiber. When not
displayed, the National Color is cased in a olive drab-colored
canvas cover.
The
Outer Banks Detachment's National Color and associated
accessories were donated by the
Yanacek family in honor
of Technical Sergeant Paul J. Yanacek, U.S.
Marine Corps Reserve.
Paul was a
Second World War veteran who served in the Central
Pacific with Marine Bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen. In
addition to his World War Two service, he remained in
the Organized Marine Corps Reserve and was recalled to active
duty when the Korean War erupted in August of 1950.
His total service to our Country as a United States Marine totaled 13
years. Paul and his wife, Rosemary, were the proud
parents of two sons,
Robert and Thomas, both of who followed in their father's footsteps,
serving as Marines. His son Robert, is a member of the
Outer Banks Detachment and is currently serving as its
Sergeant-at-Arms and Web-Sergeant.
Paul J. Yanacek passed away in August of 2006,
but his legacy of faithful service to our Country and Corps, and his
devotion to our National Flag remains. This donation
is particularly significant as Paul made it a lifelong point to
fly the National Flag daily, and to educate his fellow citizens
about its proper display. His son, Robert, tells it this way:
“As long
as I can remember, Dad flew the flag at our house.
When I was a few years old he constructed a 30-foot flag pole at our
house using lengths of threaded pipe. That flag pole
was the best and largest in the neighborhood and the flag
was flown daily, weather permitting. As a youngster my
Dad taught me and my brother everything concerning its
proper display. Under his supervision, and with some
practice, my brother and I were soon able to retire the
Colors each evening and fold them with Marine-like
precision. As the years passed, our family flag
routine continued. When Dad
retired, he and my Mother moved to a new neighborhood. One of the first things Dad did was
install his beloved flag pole to continue the daily posting
of the Colors. Over
time, neighbors began installing their own flag poles, or
began using ones already installed that had been dormant for
years. Dad was very pleased his neighbors followed his
example of flying our flag, and he took it upon himself to
provide a copy of the Flag Code and to educate those without
proper knowledge as to the correct protocol. Much to
his surprise he one day received a certificate from the
Mayor commending him for his efforts. During his funeral services many of his neighbors
approached and told me
that my Dad was responsible for inspiring them to display
the flag daily, and for teaching them about its proper
display.”
The members of Marine Corps
League Outer Banks Detachment wish to extend our sincere
gratitude to the Yanacek family for their generous donation.
We urge
every American to emulate Marines such as Paul J. Yanacek in their efforts to
educate and encourage
proper protocol among fellow citizens with respect to our
National Flag, and to
always remember the sacrifices made in protecting that Ensign and the very freedoms for
which it stands. |
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