WHAT OUR FLAG MEANS TO US.

The Flag has never been the difference. It is what the Flag represents to the people that unite behind it. 240 years ago, the United States of America adopted Old Glory as our National symbol. 183 years later we changed the look of that symbol to reflect the growth in states but also in the way our population grew. In order for a (Religious, Flag, Logo, Brand etc.) symbol to mean something it has to resonate with everyone that is asked to honor it.

I have learned a lot about symbols in my time in the military, most importantly how to unite a group under a symbol. When people come together, united towards a common purpose under one symbol, what those people can accomplish is incredible. I have asked my soldiers and employees to complete some seemingly impossible tasks. When these tasks are brought to me as a leader, I first ask myself; What is it that the people I am leading believe in. Do they believe in honor, glory, money, family, or do they just enjoy being appreciated. This is easy, and its a tactic that they teach in every leadership conference and seems to be almost outdated. I am here to say it's not, the people that teach this tactic are just simply forgetting step two. Once you know your people, how they think and what they dream of, then it is your responsibility as a leader to unite those hopes, dreams, goals, and aspiration under a banner. As human beings, we are all so different and want such different lives from each other that's what makes us so special. For us to truly make a difference we need to embrace how different we are and find a reason or a symbol to represent all of our hopes for the future. As long as that flag flies we will all find our success so we must work together. Not just for ourselves but for the person to our left and right that is putting their faith in that symbol as well. It is much easier to give up on your own dreams than it is to tell someone else that you gave up on theirs.

Command Mechanical Group decides to fly our flag on every job. Not to sell our product, not to create a brand. We choose to do it so that everyone on site remembers that we are here for something bigger than ourselves. I will work harder, I will work safer, I will always do the right thing. If not for myself than for the journeyman who is counting on that symbol to provide for his young children. For the foreman who is working to pay for college and save for a nice retirement. I do this for the apprentice who just wants a bright future, for his parents that pray every night that their son or daughter has the ability to do better than they did. Our flag is all of our hopes and dreams, our reason for waking up in the morning, putting our boots on and going out to put in the hardest days work we possibly can. We don't need to know what that flag exactly means to each of us individually, just that it represents want your dreams are. That is good enough for us to fight every day for each other and for that flag.