For many of us, the American flag is more than a symbol, it’s a promise. For veterans, that promise carries a personal weight, built on memories of service, sacrifice, and brotherhood. For me, as a Navy veteran and founder of Guardians of Old Glory, that promise is what drives our mission every single day. I’ve seen the flag flying proudly over ships at sea and over the homes of families who pray for their loved ones to come home safe. Over the years, I’ve also seen too many flags faded, torn, and forgotten, not from neglect, but from life simply moving on. That’s when I knew I wanted to do something about it.

The flag I served under still flies over me today, it’s my duty, and my honor, to make sure she always flies proud.

The idea for Guardians of Old Glory began with something simple, noticing how many worn or tattered flags were still waving in my own neighborhood. Not out of disrespect, but because replacing a flag can be harder than people realize. Good-quality, American-made flags aren’t cheap, and for some, reaching high flagpoles or managing the replacement can be difficult. Rather than criticize, I saw an opportunity: what if we could help those who needed it, while teaching the next generation about patriotism and service?

That idea grew into a mission. With the help of Scouts, ROTC members, and community volunteers, Guardians of Old Glory was formed to replace worn flags, retire them respectfully, and remind people what the flag truly stands for. It’s not about perfection, it’s about pride. Every time a young Scout hands a new flag to a veteran, or a family comes outside to thank volunteers for replacing theirs, it reinforces something powerful: that love of country still runs deep, and it’s worth passing on.

As a veteran, I’ve come to understand that honoring Old Glory isn’t a one-time act, it’s an ongoing responsibility. The same pride we felt wearing the uniform should live on in our communities, through actions that show respect for the flag and for each other. By helping replace and retire flags, we keep that connection alive. We honor those who served, teach youth the meaning of civic duty, and strengthen the bond that unites all Americans.

Because as long as Old Glory waves, the heart of America still beats strong, and it’s our duty to make sure she never fades.

Guardians of Old Glory is more than a nonprofit; it’s a promise kept. A promise to every veteran who’s ever saluted the flag, every American who honors it, and to every young American who will one day inherit it. This mission is about restoring not only flags but also faith, faith in one another, in our values, and in the enduring spirit of our nation.