We all have certain people ever-present in our minds who influence and motivate us even when they are not present. I have mine: On a professional level, they are my boss Bob Scarpelli, Chairman of DDB Chicago and Chief Creative Officer of DDB in the United States, for his fairness, his guidance and his perpetual calm in a business that is constantly manic, and Keith Reinhard, Chairman of DDB Worldwide, whose vision, tireless dedication to our business and connection with people inspire great thinking from our offices around the globe. On a personal level, my parents, Pete and Rose Ellen, make me proud. They were in my thoughts throughout this journey. This book is for them.

OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE would not have been possible without the generous support of State Farm Insurance. True to its nature to help wherever help is needed, State Farm embraced the project and found ways to overcome every hurdle along the way. I want to especially thank Peggy Echols for her overwhelming enthusiasm and guidance. Peggy and her dynamic team of Lori Manning and Lonnie Smith are a joy to work with, and it has been an honor to share this experience with them.

With the utmost gratitude to State Farm, I will donate all of my royalties to the charity of State Farm's choice, Kids Voting USA, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to securing democracy for the future by involving youth in the election process today. You can learn more about Kids Voting USA at www.kidsvotingusa.org.

I am privileged to work for DDB, which grants the freedom to pursue dreams.

At DDB, Amy Hoffar deserves special recognition for her assistance and shared vision for the project from Day One. Marty Kohr is positive each and every day, and it was rewarding to team with him outside our day-to-day assignments. Jessica Stone stepped in at just the right time and truly made the book a reality. I am also grateful to Pat Dermody and Ray Gillette for the opportunity to fulfill such a rewarding experience.

Special thanks to:
Linda Seiler for everything. Siobhan Deane for calmly coordinating, changing and re-changing travel. Kevin Kearns and Owen Moore for their eyes and design skills. Peggy Atkins for her gracious print supervision. Ron Folak and Jeff Getz for production of the book. Patti Winegar for account and adult supervision. Amy Singh for navigating the legal landscape. Ryan Nix for making the machines work. Diane Ruggie for always being there.

Also at DDB Chicago: Rita Beckert, Jacquie Bennett, Linda Bres, Ron Bridgemon, Tracye Bridgemon-Dunlap, Allison Boba, Steve Canty, Ann Cummins, Yvette Doud, Julie Draho, Jackie Drummond, Rick Fobes, Kelley Harris, Jerry Hummer, Chalcea Immesoete, Steve Jackson, Mike Johnson, Norm Kehr, Pam Kerry, Kent Kwiatt, Lisa Kehl, Keenan Linder, Rudy Lopez, Carol Magak, JT Mapel, Tim Nichols, Bruce Ritter, June Santos, Erin Sexton, Sandeep Sharma, Valerie Smith, Joel Sutliffe, Pete Taylor, Claudia Terry, Matt Vladika and (for this and many other projects) Alison Whitelaw.

DDB New York: Jody Bany, Yazmin Castrillon, Tom Cotton, Ngar Deighton, Staci Dodds, Abigail Hirschhorn, Bob Kuperman, DJ Pierce, Larry Sillen, Pat Sloan and Celia Williams. DDB Dallas: Mark Laske, Timberly Padden, Jake Schroepfer and Doug Walker. DDB affiliate Milici Valenti Ng Pack in Honolulu: Jay Talwar and Lisa Yamada.

At State Farm Insurance: Ed Rust Jr., Brian Boyden, Peggy Echols, Jack Weekes, Pam El, Steve Vogel, Lori Manning, Mark Cavanaugh, Phil Supple, Dave Hurst, Gene Wright, Kristy Funk, Kathy Hanover, Brenda Iverson and Lonnie Smith.

At Barnes & Noble: Michael Friedman, Alan Kahn, Jeff Batzli, Susan Lauzau, Nathaniel Marunas, Karen Matsu Greenberg, Chris Bain and Richela Fabian Morgan.

Thanks also to Dana and Kim Locatell for their help and friendship, and for putting me up in New York, and Cheryl Van Wynen, who helped me from Dallas, Texas to Charleston, South Carolina, and saw the book's early development.

Also, thanks to Kate Andrews, Dana Balkin, Rich Barber, Cathy Berndtson, Michael Bodnarchek, Paul and Sarah Bonneau, Rick Boyko, my grandparents Frank and Ellen Calzone, John Capozzi, John Cooney, Marshall Corey, Laura Cuddy, Sally Dedecker, Richard DiLallo, Paul Dorn, Ken Duncan, Magan Eng, Susan Hayes, Linda Higueras, Thomas Hauser, Mary Lou Hoffar, Zvia and David Holmes, Anne Hoppe, Henry Howard, Maureen Hughes, Harlan Kahn, Eric Kempmann, Rebecca Klein, Donna Koppensteiner, Steve Lehman, Madhu Malhan, Tom and Renee Page, Paige Pawlak, Chuck and Kathy Pogany, R&B Group Printers, Steve Kramer, Lloyd Rich, Cindy Rivet, Sue Rosen, Maital Sabban, Grant Sanders, Michelle Thibeault, Jessica Thomas, Lauren Watson, my sister Tracy Nagy and her husband Mike Nagy, my brother Mike Pogany, his wife Chris and daughters Sarah and Alexandra, my friends the Severinos, the Dowds and the Mions, and all those who contributed their time and suggestions.

Consultant: Constance Sayre, Market Partners International, Publishing Trends.
Legal: Davis & Gilbert LLP, Mary M. Luria, Esq., Loeb & Loeb, Jim Taylor.


Special thanks to all of the people and places represented within
OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE, and to all those who contributed:


American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial, Philadelphia, PA Heather Kincade Dan Turturica Cornel Nistorescu The Glorioso Family The Santa Maria Produce Company, Shreveport, LA Jodie Glorioso The Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Vickie Canfield The Zia Family AAA Flag & Banner Company, Los Angeles, CA The National Football League David M. Proper Patrice Murphy The DeLashmutt Family Robert “Boe” DeLashmutt Aaron DeLashmutt Retired Rear Admiral Craig Steidle and Marcia Steidle Hill Tom Market, Hillsboro, VA Clarence and Robin Barlow Keith Bauer The Pruitt Family Alexandra Gritta Rollerland, Spartanburg, SC Stacy McFalls Kimberly McFalls Kenneth R. Smith, Jr. Kenneth R Smith, Sr. Dusty Cooke Gerald Jones Amber Mills Angie Mills Lee Greenwood Wendy Leshner The New York Stock Exchange Canal Street Self-Storage, Chicago, IL Tom Thompson Outdoor Network, Inc., Chicago, IL Tom Bukur Quinn A. Toshavik Janice Lenoir The Staff at the Ulysses S. Grant Restaurant at Vancouver National Historic Reserve, WA Emily McMillan John Memering Betty Lewis The Claybasket, Brownville, NE PJ Howell Mattie C. Davis Robes & Gowns of Selma, AL Amanda Mullins Jumpin’ Java, Charles Town, WV Victoria Kaiser Joseph Campitelli, Sr. Doug and Dawne McKay Aimee La Peta Surf & Sea Surf Shop, Haleiwa, HI The Lane Packing Company, Fort Valley, GA David Lane Betty Lane Raton, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Mark Roper Dr. William Cunico Dr. Scott Hatzenbeler Dean Sparaco Shawn Porter Brock Walton Bob Cunico Howard Lasher David Merrill Lisa Roberto Charles Town Cycles, Charles Town, WV Kevin Webster Jason Smith Colan Smith Bud’s Tavern, Butte, MT Ray Trafelet Caroline Herrera Swardlick Marketing Group, Portland, ME John Cooney Blue Plate Restaurant, Santa Monica, CA Amy Montemarano Carthay Center Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA Mary Kaye Rose and the children of Nkiruka’s Brighter Future Susan Payne and her 4th grade class Milazzo’s Florist & Garden Center, Norwalk, CT Aliiolani Elementary School, Honolulu, HI Haroldeen Wakida Anderson Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM Charles and Sally Anderson The State Department Sharon Eaton Dale Egee Sandra Park Marian Robinson Steve Bougdanos Rob Morrissey B.B. King’s Blues Club, Memphis, TN Tommy Peters Scott Berg Newspaper man, Chicago, IL Stefan Brecht Jerold Couture Maunawili Elementary School, Honolulu, HI Fraser-Ann Kananiokeakua Fellezs Michael A.L.R. Fellezs James Decker Lucie Decker Keolu Elementary School, Honolulu, HI Bryan Hanawahine Janet Hanawahine Jean Noguchi David Clinton, Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, Fire Department of New York City Mountain Home Fire & Rescue, Mountain Home, NC Peggy DeJonge Mahlon Hudgins The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Staff Kari Watkins Joanne Riley Meadow View Elementary School, Radcliff, KY Gary Milby Marc Dowell Norma Bauer Domingo Rodriguez Jasper Johns Simca Print Artists VAGA (Visual Artists and Galleries Association), New York City, NY Jessica Lin Cox Christie’s, New York City, NY Joel L. Gunderson Chelsea Scott Jenny Park Majestic Gallery, New York, NY Sam Schweky Rockefeller Center, New York, NY Paul Geminder Diane Fox St. Joseph’s High School, South Bend, IN The Florida Theater, Jacksonville, FL J. Erik Hart John Davis II Sycamore Junior High School, Cincinnati, OH Mary Lou Hoffar Tina Emery Michael W. Emery Tyler Grimm Nancy Grimm Brian Schnell Sharon Miller Maggie Crutcher Julie Crutcher Annie Kanter Marcy Kanter Valerie Lascelles Janet R. Schultz Sara L. Dorton Amelia L. Morse The Paris Theater, Portland, OR Icon of Coil Christian Lund Paul Bonneau Michael Washburn Sophia Carroll Dyer’s, Memphis, TN Frank and Ellen Calzone Model Barber Shop, Auburn, NE John Birdsley Paul Anania Ronald Richer Tip Top Boots & Western Wear Jason Wald Joseph Wald Beadniks, Brattleboro, VT Rebecca Curtis-Brown Joey J. Paxson Bert Allen Briar & Bow Archery, Sioux City, IA Rich Stolpe Spirit Room & Lotus Gallery, Fargo, ND Dawn Morgan Heather Hayes MigMedia, Dallas, TX Rob Fiedler Trammell Crow, Dallas, TX Matt Craft Chavez Properties, Dallas, TX The Dallas Mavericks Mark Fitzgerald The Propel Group, Dallas, TX  The Downtown Improvement District, Dallas, TX McPhail Electric Company, Dallas, TX The Central Parking System, Dallas, TX Willie Bridges Eric and Julie Mulloy The Middleton Tavern Oyster Bar & Restaurant, Annapolis, MD Gayle V. Economos Zoe E. Dolan Heather Lee The Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery Michael Dunsford The Old Executive Building, Washington, DC The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC Jan Rothschild Kelly O’Neil Susan Kenney Willona Sloan Rebecca Sobel National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Memorial Continental Hall, Washington, DC April Watkins Linda Tinker Watkins Bren Landon The National Education Association, Washington, DC Carolyn Wallace The Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC Jo Schuda Jerry Sanford Donald R. Lynes Larry Stewart The Drews The Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, TN Anita Duggan St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin Pete Zotos Mark Laske Rose’s Den at The Boulder Inn Rose “Rosie” Larsen Alabama Governor Don Siegelman Alaska Governor Tony Knowles Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee California Governor Gray Davis Colorado Governor Bill Owens Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner Florida Governor Jeb Bush Georgia Governor Roy Barnes Hawaii Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne Illinois Governor George Ryan Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon Iowa Governor Thomas J. Vilsack Kansas Governor Bill Graves Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton Louisiana Governor Mike Foster Maine Governor Angus King Maryland Governor Parris Glendening Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift Michigan Governor John Engler Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura Missouri Governor Bob Holden Montana Governor Judy Martz Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns New Mexico Governor Gary E. Johnson Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn New York Governor George E. Pataki North Carolina Governor Mike Easley North Dakota Governor John Hoeven Ohio Governor Bob Taft Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating Oregon Governor John A. Kitzhaber Pennsylvania Governor Mark S. Schweiker Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist Texas Governor Rick Perry Utah Governor Mike Leavitt Vermont Governor Howard Dean Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner Washington Governor Gary Locke West Virginia Governor Bob Wise Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum Mary Dieter Joe Shapiro Meta Boyer Ryan McJunkin Amanda Wherry Ann Husted Adam Liegert Oliver Phillips Cynthia Leon Jordan Rasmussen Kelli Steele Brian O. Catlett Tom Kogut Jim Dalton Jacqueline Kido Don Brown Natalie Gochnour Chris Kelly Judy Palnau Bob King Diane Priggie Gene Acuna David La Torre Donald R. Canton Andrew Boatright Debbie Monterrey-Millett Paul Moon Amy Hinton Tony Sprague Kristin Moresi Sue Allen Sean Williams Dave Urbanek Steven W. Johnston Tricia Curley Rickey Beard Sleep Out Louie’s, Memphis, TN Preston Hamm Hurry Curry Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA Ranbir Chopra Munish and Mira Makkar Sammy’s Pizza, Fargo, ND Teresa Tilock Loretta’s, Kansas City, KS Angela Martin Marlene Agim William Smith Thomas Kloiber Three Chopt Sandwich Shoppe, Hendersonville, NC Matthew Rogers Joan Van Doren Hannah Van Doren Sara M. Sacco Jennifer Hall Carrie Broswell Jolena Anders David Chacon Afghan Kebab House, New York, NY Zahid Mian Downtown Saloon & BBQ, Leesburg, VA Michele Malak William Wagner Denise Thomason Trio Restaurant Sherrye Chappell April The Bikini Shop, Washington, DC Colleen Corrigan Po-Boy’s Produce, Phenix City, AL Helen A. Goodson Tim & Tom’s Cheese Shop, Kenosha, WI Thomas M. Merks The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Bob Welch Miss Rodeo America Raeana Wadhams Darla Willbanks Tara Graham, 2001 Miss Rodeo America NASCAR Sarah Nettinga Rob Copeland Steve O’Donnell Jasper Motorsports Rick Carpenter Bill Armour Eric Heil John Clarke, Bengals “No. 1” Fan The Ultimate Tailgaters: Jim Lalley David Lalley Angela Lalley Carrie Scott Lou Ann Mullen Thomas J. Mullen Fran Zimmerman Chris Zimmerman Paul Lacey Joe Cosgrove Barry T. Malone Alan Elliston Robert Taylor Myles Berkowitz Jason Miller Jensen’s Junk, Kansas City, KS Nebraska City Furniture, Nebraska City, NE Tom Berger Smooth Groove Tattoo & Body Piercing, Dallas, TX Mario Gonzalez Mansion Clam House, Saugatuck, CT Donald Saltus Anheuser-Busch Jim Schumacher Lincoln Car Wash, Santa Monica, CA Amyn Jivani Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, NV Michael Coldwell Kaya Jewelry, Portsmouth, NH Michelle Bridges Jill D’Angelo Necker’s Toy Store, Simsbury, CT Debbie Necker The United States Armed Forces Green Acres Landscaping, Las Vegas, NM Ruben Roybal Latin Desire Car Club Michael Roybal Hodding Carter III Phyllis Newhart The Knight Foundation The Grimsley Family Kristi Barrow James “Buddy” Dunn Taylor County Elementary School 3-B Juvenile Detention Center, Idaho Falls, ID Kim Jardine Dan Weinrich Denise Cummings Yvette and Des Lam Anthony Garnier, Jr. Father Lane K. Akiona Andrew Yim Dad ? Joseph Plogger Robert Widhalm Joshua Behrens Rich Behrens Alvin Fujioka, Jr. Alvin Fujioka, Sr. Harley K. Pinho-Tamburi Collette M. Tamburi Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design, Norman, OK Steve Calonkey All those who contributed quotes to the book Anyone I may have forgotten Everyone who helped along the way DP