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A new flag could soon be flying over Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Center.
Resident Tony Stepanek received a special gift this Veterans Day --- an American flag carried into combat by his grandson.
Capt. Chris Stepanek flew missions over Iraq from January to May this year, and decided to carry American flags with him on missions. One was for his grandfather, the only other family member who has served in the military.
"It allows me to honor him during my service to the country," Chris Stepanek said.
As an infantry tech sergeant, grandfather Tony helped to storm the beach at Normandy, free occupied France and take the Remagen bridge before serving in the army of occupation in Berlin. Despite his heroic service, he downplays his role.
"I was just one of the sloggers, if you will," Tony said.
Chris inherited his grandfather's humility.
"I don't think of myself as a veteran," he said. "A lot of people have given so much more for our country than I have."
Though the type of service is very different -- Chris flies F-16s and Tony was on the ground in foxholes -- the connection of service made this past Veterans Day a special one for the family.
Now Tony hopes to fly the flag over Brighton Gardens to honor the many veterans who live there. He hopes to raise it a few times before retiring it to protect it from weather damage.
Though the flag is a bit smaller than the one usually flying
Even when the flag's flying days are over, Tony plans to keep it as a special reminder of his grandson and the family tradition of service he continues.
