Stitches and Stars - New interest in old symbol

FLORISSANT, Mo. -- The terrorist attacks and a memory from a movie prompted a seed-distributor to sew -- literally -- the seeds of patriotism. And on Veteran's Day Monday, Steve Rupp figured some 100,000 of his service flags were flying again around the nation.

Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Rupp, 50, of suburban St. Louis, came up with the idea to renew an old tradition. During World War I and World War II, relatives of men and women in the Armed Forces would proudly fly service flags at their homes.

Rupp went a step further -- in addition to military families, he introduced them to families of law enforcement and rescue workers.

In the past year, Rupp has become licensed to manufacture and distribute service flags through his business, American Heroes. He said he has often been moved by stories he hears from the buyers.

"People are so proud to be able to put a flag in a window to honor their loved ones. It's a great feeling to be able to be part of something so central to people's lives," Rupp said.

After the Sept. 11 attacks, Rupp wanted to show his patriotism but didn't know how. He recalled seeing "The Fighting Sullivans" as a child, a movie about five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who were killed when their ship was torpedoed after a sea battle near Guadalcanal during World War II.

A vivid memory from the film was the depiction of a five-star service flag at the Sullivan home.

Rupp and his wife went to a fabric store and constructed several flags from his memory of the movie. The flag is white with a red border and boasts one blue star for every family member serving in the military during war or armed conflict.

If a service member dies, the blue star is covered by gold.

The addition of flags honoring emergency workers was a nod to their heroic efforts following the terrorist attacks. Those flags include a silver badge for police and a red Maltese cross for firefighters. Rupp has also created a flag with a blue "USA" in the center for people without direct ties to rescue workers or those in the service, but who simply want to show their support.

Rupp, two brothers and a nephew created American Heroes and put up $100,000 to start manufacturing at a plant in Florence, S.C.

The flags retail for $10 to $12 and are sold through Rupp's Web site, small flag shops and about half of the nation's Wal-Mart stores.