There’s a lot of talk about bringing back American manufacturing. In the middle of Tennessee, U.S. Army veteran Justin Scott and his wife, Donna, are taking action.
In 2014, they cofounded the Rustic Flag Company, which offers the breathtaking, meticulously handcrafted woodworking art of Old Glory. The very first flag was created in their garage while trying to replicate a wooden version of Justin’s DCU Combat patch, the one he had worn in Iraq clearing routes as a combat engineer in 2004.
Woodworking had long been a hobby of his — but this time, a friend purchased the item as an anniversary present for her husband. What happened next changed the course of the Scott family’s life.
Several friends sought to buy one of these stunning flags and the product spoke for itself — popularity (and demand) exploded on social media. Justin Scott asked his fellow veteran friends to join in the venture, leaned on Donna’s creative genius, and launched a company based on military values and ethics.
They now employ nearly 50 people in the more rural part of our country, individuals who are nearly all veterans themselves or are the family of veterans.
In little over three years, the Rustic Flag Company has become the nation’s largest consumer of 1X American Spruce and has sold upward of 90,000 flags — all handcrafted in Tennessee. When you read that this company delivers premium quality, they mean premium. And handmade.
Every single star is hand-carved with a hammer and chisel. Hand-painted work is performed by a former U.S. Navy Seabee and his wife, and there are options for designs that use laser or engraving. (You have to check out their new tribute piece to those who fought in Iwo Jima.)
Related: Unique Way for Vets to Cope with Service-Related Trauma
The specific lumber (chosen for its earthy grain and characteristics) is sourced from the beautiful northwest and Montana. All along, they have continued to utilize American-owned businesses to supply the necessary materials. They continue to grow with the aspiration of employing even more veterans and their families (no mistake, their mission statement is about stable jobs, great wages, and a top-notch work environment), and to bring back American manufacturing.
The Rustic Flag Company is a frontline leader that should be on the list of most wanted businesses to support in 2018.
Frontline leader (founders): Justin and Donna Scott
Name of company/organization: The Rustic Flag Company, founded 2014
Location: Headquartered in Trenton, Tennessee
Post 9/11 service connection: U.S. Army (Combat Engineer)
Tours of duty: Iraq (OIF III), convoy security and route clearance on MSR Tampa
One-sentence tagline and mission statement: Bringing Back American Manufacturing
Website: www.therusticflagcompany.com/
Marjorie K. Eastman is a U.S. Army veteran. Eastman served 10 years in the Army Reserve, including two combat deployments. She received a Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. She is also a 2017 National Independent Publisher Award-winning author of “The Frontline Generation: How We Served Post 9/11.” This OpsLens piece is used by permission.
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(photo credit, homepage and article images: The Rustic Flag Company)
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