ROBESON COUNTY, NC — Although May was national Military Appreciation Month, every day at Patriot Hill Farm is about military appreciation, as a veteran enjoys his retirement by paying tribute to others who have served.
What You Need To Know
- Patriot Hill Flags is run by a Marine Corps veteran and retired police officer
- The hand-carved wooden flags are a tribute to all those who served under the American flag
- Each flag is unique and carries a part of Jose Vargas with it
As a Marine Corps veteran and a retired police officer, an artist isn’t a title Jose Vargas ever thought he would hold.
“I was a road sergeant, for Passaic County Sheriff’s Office. And I got to stand among giants over there ... and unfortunately, we were involved in a fatal shooting. So I was home for a little bit of time during the whole pandemic,” Vargas said.
One of his friends encouraged him to try his hand at woodworking and make a flag. Vargas resisted initially, knowing anything short of perfection wouldn’t be enough for him.
“People die for this. You know, it’s more than just a piece of cloth. I’ve had this flag draped over a friend. Those are the reasons when I make a flag. I take it so personal and I put my everything into it,” he said.
The American Flag has stood as a symbol of freedom for hundreds of years.
Veteran and retired Police Officer Jose Vargas only came up with Patriot Hill Flags four years ago. Now, he pays tribute to others who have served and sacrificed by creating wood-worked flags.
“I’m not serving anymore as a police officer, and so I feel like with this, it kind of it gives me a purpose again,” Vargas said.
Because they’re completely handmade, no two flags are ever the same. Vargas frequently creates flags on commission for various law enforcement departments, as retirement gifts and tributes to veterans.
“This is how you honor them,” Vargas said.
As much solace as he finds in his workshop, he said the whole point of Patriot Hill Flags is honoring those who have sacrificed their life for freedom. He said all it takes is watching someone to receive one of his flags to know every hour of work is worth it.
“A lot of grown men, you see the tears coming, and it’s pretty awesome to see that reaction. Because as much love I put into it, when they’re receiving it, they’re embracing that love,” Vargas said.
This is the American dream for him, and he knows it’s only possible thanks to another’s sacrifice.
