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Volume 6 Issue 2 Fall-Winter 2019
A transcript of email exchanges between Editor Madison Monroe and Annin VP of Sales Bob Caggiano
Hi Kerry and Madison, 
I may have shared with you that I went to the United Kingdom and Normandy, France for the 75th anniversary of D-Day events. I accompanied the US National Guard Educational Association in conjunction with the 29th Division. These trips are one of the perks working for Annin Flagmakers. I wanted to share this story of this one thing that took place.
We had US and custom-made 75th anniversary D-Day flags raised on Omaha Beach in the morning of June 6th by the 29th Division of the National Guard. I was on Omaha Beach at 6 am that day but left for the American Cemetery by 7:30 for the official event.
When I was leaving the cemetery at 4 pm that day, I received the email below from the individual who runs tours of the battlefields. The timing of this email was like divine intervention/heaven sent. It is an example of what our product means to people. I hope you enjoy the story and the picture.
Thanks - Bob, Robert R. Caggiano, VP of Sales, Commercial Sales Division, Annin Flagmakers-Since 1847
-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart Robertson
Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2019 2:42 PM
To: Public Relations; Sales Inquiry
Subject: Special request from Normandy, France
Dear Sir:
I am writing as your company's name was recommended to me by the American Battle Monuments Commission's staff at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy. I have a request which I hoped you could help me with.
My name is Stuart Robertson and I am a historian / battlefield guide living in Normandy, France.
This week I have a very special guest for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Her name is Kaye Hanson and she is the daughter of Corporal Ray C. Kennedy of Texas, who was an American paratrooper killed in Normandy on D-Day. Kaye's mother was pregnant with her as her father left America in 1943 to come to England prior to D-Day —she, of course, never met her father.
Mrs. Hanson only found out about her father's story a few years ago when her mother died. She is coming to Normandy this week for her one and only visit to her father's grave. The ABMC has made the incredible gesture to fly a flag over the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach and present her with this flag after it has been folded.
I have been searching all weekend for a supplier in France to buy a flag from, but none are of the necessary quality or size.
So here it is—is there any way I can get a flag from you, delivered to Normandy before our visit to the cemetery next Saturday? It’s a long shot but I am running out of options and was hoping you could help make this special experience happen for a daughter, who never met her father, who was killed in Normandy on D-Day. Many thanks in advance for your assistance.
All best regards, Stuart Robertson
-----On 2019-06-06 16:00, Bob Caggiano wrote:
Hi Stuart,
I am in Normandy now just leaving the cemetery. I have 3x5 foot US flags with me. I should be on Omaha Beach by 4:30 PM today. If you want, you can have one.
Bob, VP of Sales, Annin Flagmakers
FROM: Stuart Robertson
SENT: Thursday, June 6, 2019 4:04:40 PM TO: Bob Caggiano
SUBJECT: Re: Flag
Dear Bob,
That is incredible - I had lost hope of being able to get one at such short notice! I am currently in Ste Mere Eglise - I will see you on the Beach.
All best regards,
Stuart
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