[MACV63]

Greetings from Virginia, the "Old Dominion".

I found this site while searching for info on a disturbing bit of info from 'a friend of a friend of a friend in Congress', regarding government changes in policy regarding provision of a burial flag.(More later in separate thread)

I am a Retired Army Master Sergeant, who served 2 tours in VietNam, then had the poor sense to volunteer for some 13 months with Desert Storm. That was enough, after 24 years for pay- I put in my letter to get out. Career fields included: aircraft mechanic (crew chief and door gunner); Administration, Personnel, Legal, and Chaplaincy. I've served in Active, Reserve, and National Guard components.

Part of the VA-ARNG service was as the Colors NCO of the Division Color Guard, for the 29th Inf Div(Lt). I have continued that Respect for the Colors as member of the Chapter Color Guard for Virginia Chapter 3, Rolling Thunder, Inc., based in Dumfries, VA, near where I currently live in Woodbridge.

I proudly wear a patch of our National Colors on my multiple motorcycling vests (Rolling Thunder, Fairfax H.O.G.), and the shoulder of my most everyday riding jacket. The lighted Colors fly at my home, over a POW/MIA flag- day and night (except sometimes in SEVERE weather). I've flown a 3x5 mounted flag at numerous (too many, these days) Patriot Guard missions with my 05 H-D Sportster 1200 Custom.

RETIRED, but Still Serving....

Mike "STROLR" Akins
MSG, USA (ret)
MACV63, USARV66, ODS90-92