You probably ventured to this post from the 27th Annual Murray Company Golf Tournament and that’s where you probably learned of the origin of the beautiful hand-crafted U.S.A. flags that our IT Director, Kevin Carlson created for the tournament sponsors. These custom flags were Murray Company’s “thank you” for the support our supplier-vendors-sponsors expressed through their sponsorships of the tournament. In total, 50 flags were made in Kevin’s garage.
Here are some interesting facts and highlights from Kevin’s journey. He shares,
I’m thrilled to hear that the custom USA Flags were a hit! While I may not possess the legendary status of Betsy Ross, I certainly share in her deep patriotism. Crafting these old glories was not just a task; it was a genuine labor of love.
- Wood Origins: I embarked on a journey to four different Lowe’s shops to gather the Pine boards for this project.
- Transformation: The flags began as 20″ x 6′ sheets of Spruce Pine Fir boards, which were cut down the middle.
- Craftsmanship: Each flag took approximately 2 hours to complete. In total, I handcrafted a grand total of 50 Flags.
- Staining Technique: Attaining the ideal appearance involved a meticulous two-stage process. First, I stained a section to capture the vigilant blue of the union, and then I treated a separate section to evoke the valor embodied by the red stripes. Additionally, carving was applied to restore the purity white of the pine, further enhancing the flag’s overall aesthetic.
- The Canton of 50 Stars: 50×50 = multiple bits. 1960 was the year we added the 50th Star for the state of Hawaii. The 48-star flag was in effect for 47 years until the 49-star version became official on July 4, 1959. The 50-star flag was ordered by then president Eisenhower on August 21, 1959, and was adopted in July 1960. It is the longest-used version of the U.S. flag and has been in use for over 63 years.
- Family Involvement: My 13-year-old son, Kaden, found joy in peeling away the masking tape during each masking process. He described it as incredibly satisfying.
- Illumination Magic: Once the flags were completed and delivered, Derek Fett aimed to give them an extra flair. He decided to procure LED lights for the back, taking inspiration from our IT Department’s flag. Collaborating with Mike Washko and his skilled team, they expertly installed the LED lights and accompanying mounting hardware, resulting in a breathtaking, radiant white glow that now graces the flags
If you wish to purchase one of Kevin’s custom flags, visit the below link but reach out to him first ([email protected]) re: your order. Note that the lighting is not standard equipment but a special MC-touch.
https://www.bitandtimber.com/product/wooden-american-flag/1?cs=true&cst=custom
