By KATHLEEN D. BAILEY
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June 11, 2010 2:00 AM
STRATHAM — JoAnne and Fred Schottler's home is a suburban oasis, with a lily pond, a sturdy wooden play set for the "grands" and careful landscaping. But a weathered wooden tub near the front walk shows where this family's heart is: it contains two small silk American flags.
JoAnne of Stratham heads up the Star Network for the Pease Greeters. She oversees hundreds of volunteers who snip the white stars from retired American flags, slip them in a plastic sleeve with a poem, and sends them out, with their best wishes, to active and retired military.
The poem
I am a part of our American flag. I have flown over a home in the USA. I can no longer fly. The sun and wind have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten.
How to do it
Flags may be mailed to Schottler or dropped off at several Seacoast locations. Flags should be 3x5 feet or smaller, she said, because the stars cannot be larger than 2 inches. The stars should be embroidered, not printed, and she prefers to just get the blue field, she said. Flags may be mailed to her at 63 Winnicut Road, Stratham NH 03885 or dropped at Seacoast locations; for a complete list, visit the Web site, www.peasegreeters.org..
