County woman designs flag to show appreciation for troops

SUSSEX COUNTY-They're called "Appreciation Flags," and the idea to make them as a tribute to the American military came suddenly to Debby Campbell. "It just hit me," the Hardyston resident said. "I was down the shore looking at a flagpole that displayed an American flag and a POW flag." She then glanced around to see that some yards and porches had signs in support of our troops, but she realized there were no flags specifically supporting the troops.. She then conducted some research to see if there were any such flags and found there weren't. So Campbell contacted Annin & Company, the nation's oldest and largest manufacturer of flags and the producer of flags for the military. "I wanted it done professionally, and I wanted it produced in the U.S.," said Campbell. She added, "I want to see these flags flying everywhere, and when people see them, they take a moment to think about those serving, to get people to be more aware." Together with the manufacturer, Campbell developed three-foot by five-foot flag with the symbols of the five different services, an American flag and a yellow ribbon on a white background, along with a the motto that reads: "All give some, some give all." A former businesswoman who maintained a bookkeeping service for small businesses for more than 20 years, she is now devoting her time to promoting the flags. Campbell is producing the flags as a commercial venture, but she says she will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each the flag to the families of troops active here and overseas. Ideally, the money would assist the children, perhaps in scholarship form. Campbell would also like to make organizations aware that she will work with them on sales. She has met with military officials and local political representatives and said she has their support for the project. "People are all very positive about it," she said. "Our military protects us all, and this is our way of saying thanks." For more information, visit appreciationflag.com, or call Campbell at 201-652-7930.