Next Meeting: October 17, 2026, at Spring Creek Barbeque in McKinney Texas at 11:00.
Veterans Court Dates: Nov 13, Dec 18.
Be there at 8:30 SHARP, Third floor on the right at the Collin County Court House if you wish to attend.
The flag retirement ceremony and family outing at the Military Heritage Collection of North Texas Museum in Nevada is still on hold. Now that we've had some rain, we will have a discussion about a date. Once we have one, bring food to BBQ, chairs, drinks for your family and a side dish. Grills will be provided. Bring an awning if you have one. An extra folding table or two will also be helpful.
A New Chapter Begins...
One of the services the Military Veterans of North Texas provides is we honorably retire old United States flags. We currently have two locations in North Texas and one location in Galveston where we collect flags for disposal.
During a lunchtime conversation, a cashier, Renea Daniel, at a local restaurant said, "I have a flag I will give you, but I don't want you to destroy it. It's a bicentennial flag and it's still in really good shape. Do you think you could find something else to do with it besides retire it?"
We gave it some thought.
Our bicentennial flag is going to go on a journey. During the meeting on February 21, 2026, it was proposed that this special flag be taken to various military installations, ships, historic sites and parks and flown, whenever possible, and documented with pictures. Those pictures and the information surrounding the flag's journey will be documented on this page. We create a carrying case for this flag and members will take it with them as they travel for personal business and vacations.
After the meeting, a discussion was held between some of the officers, and it was decided to expand this to flying the bicentennial flag at any location within the country that gives us permission. As a result, we hope to get a much more interesting story for our special flag!
A little bit about our flag: This flag is known as a Bennington Flag. Traditionally, the canton, the blue field, extends down seven stripes from the top in the "Betsy Ross" style flag. For the Bennington Flag, the canton extends down nine stripes. The 76 represents the 1776 Declaration of Independence, and the 13 stars in the arch above the 76 and 13 stripes represent the first 13 colonies. This is a legal United States flag, and specifically represents the Battle of Bennington, which took place in 1777, and is therefore considered a Revolutionary War symbol. However, it is believed to be a 19th century creation by Nathanial Fillmore and is occasionally referred to as a "Fillmore Flag." This style of flag was frequently flown on government buildings for the United States Bicentennial and was widely used from 1975 to approximately 1984.
In addition, while going through our retired flags, we recently discovered we were given a 48 star flag in remarkably good condition. We found a local seamstress who instantly agreed to repair the flag at no charge, and we are now flying this flag along with our Bicentennial flag whenever we can. After researching key markers on this flag, we have come to determine that our flag is most likely from the late 1910's or early 1920's and is therefore almost certainly over 100 years old.
Please join us in celebrating these two flags on their newest journey! If you or your business would like us to fly and document our flags at your location, please contact us at the link below!

The Plan...
When we received the flag, it had been in storage for a few years. While it was not being mistreated during this time, it was in need of cleaning. Once the flag was cleaned, it was properly folded, and it's folded dimensions were taken so that a custom carrying case could be commissioned. This case will serve as a display case, a storage container, and a transport container so that the flag can safely be taken on it's journey around America to visit historical places along with the members and families of the Submarine Veterans of North Texas.
Now that we have the 48 star flag as well, the case will be modified to hold that flag also.
The Journey...

February 21, 2026
First time displayed to the group. Held by Bill Bradley and Nick Patrazio

March 13, 2026
The gang having dinner at Venesia Tratoria in McKinney, Texas.

March 15, 2026
Flying over the Red River Valley Veteran's Memorial, Paris, Texas

March 15, 2026
Red River Valley Veteran's Memorial, Paris, Texas

April 1, 2026
Brunch with Marcy. Artemis II launches four astronauts to the moon later that day.

April 17, 2026
Collin County Veteran's Court with Judge Jay Bender.

May 16, 2026
North Texas Military Veterans Scholarship recipiants with Rick and Nathan

May 16, 2026
North Texas Military Veterans Scholarship recipiants.

June 20, 2026
Farmersville Audie Murphy Parade. 48 Star on left, first public showing. Union Jack from USS Stewart, DE 238 center and our Bicentennial Flag on the right.



July 4, 2026
McKinney 4th of July Parade. 48 Star on left, and our Bicentennial Flag on the right. Pirate flag in the middle.
September 11, 2026
This is the 48 star flag at half mast at Princeton Fire Station 3 on the afternoon of 9/11 marking 25 years from the attack on the Twin Towers.
September 11, 2026
This is the Bennington flag at half mast at Princeton Fire Station 3 on the afternoon of 9/11 marking 25 years from the attack on the Twin Towers.

September 12, 2026
This is the Bennington flag at the Guns and Hoses Event in Allen Texas. The 48 star flag can be seen centered on the table to the left of the Donations box.

October 9, 2026
This is our 48 star flag at Roma Italian Kitchen for our dinner get together. David from First United, who is also a Navy Corpsman, joined us for the first time.

October 9, 2026
This is our 48 star flag at Roma Italian Kitchen for our dinner get together. David from First United, who is also a Navy Corpsman, joined us for the first time.