thedrifter
07-24-07, 07:10 AM
Marine vet honored for handing out American flags
Newburgh – John and Irene Guilfoyl of Middletown met while they were both in the service during World War II.
Mr. Guilfoyl, who spent 20 years in the Marines, has for the past year handed out close to 300 cemetery-sized American flags to residents of his neighborhood and other areas around Middletown.
As a “thank you,” Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who was in Newburgh Monday, invited the Guilfoyls there so he could present them with an American flag, which was flown over the Capitol.
Guilfoyl believes everyone should show their patriotism by displaying the flag.
“I gave them out to the senior citizens in Middletown, the American Legion, Boy Scouts of America, or along the street,” he said. On June 13, the day before Flag Day, Guilfoyl went around his entire neighborhood handing out free American flags.
The highly decorated former Marine was prompted to begin his flag crusade when he attended an unnamed facility where flags from all over the world were displayed with the American flag absent. He spoke to management and changed that in a hurry.
Ellie
Newburgh – John and Irene Guilfoyl of Middletown met while they were both in the service during World War II.
Mr. Guilfoyl, who spent 20 years in the Marines, has for the past year handed out close to 300 cemetery-sized American flags to residents of his neighborhood and other areas around Middletown.
As a “thank you,” Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who was in Newburgh Monday, invited the Guilfoyls there so he could present them with an American flag, which was flown over the Capitol.
Guilfoyl believes everyone should show their patriotism by displaying the flag.
“I gave them out to the senior citizens in Middletown, the American Legion, Boy Scouts of America, or along the street,” he said. On June 13, the day before Flag Day, Guilfoyl went around his entire neighborhood handing out free American flags.
The highly decorated former Marine was prompted to begin his flag crusade when he attended an unnamed facility where flags from all over the world were displayed with the American flag absent. He spoke to management and changed that in a hurry.
Ellie