America is Made Here: Interment Flags
Synopsis
For more than 25 years, Huntsville Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc., dba as Phoenix, has proudly produced American flags for the Department of Veterans Affairs. These burial flags are all sourced and manufactured entirely in America by people with disabilities. Phoenix employs approximately 800 people with significant disabilities, including veterans, through the AbilityOne® Program. Through rigorous quality standards, and robust employee development programs, Phoenix demonstrates how an organization can provide long-term careers for people with disabilities while delivering high-quality products and services to the federal government. From materials to manpower, Phoenix employees support American manufacturing and strengthen American economies.
The Full Story
Huntsville Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc., dba as Phoenix, is one of three AbilityOne federal contractors in the SourceAmerica® network that manufacture American flags for the Department of Veterans Affairs entirely in America. People with disabilities employed through the AbilityOne Program at Phoenix, North Bay Industries, and Goodwill South Florida produce the official U.S. Military Interment Burial Flag as a symbol of honor provided to the families of deceased veterans.
The Phoenix team has produced more than two million interment flags over the past 25 years, and they are currently delivering more than 65,000 flags annually to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The organization sources the 100% premium cotton, red, white, and blue fabrics from South Carolina. The thread is sourced from North Carolina. The brass grommets are sourced from Florida. Talented people with disabilities take enormous pride in their commitment to quality and craftsmanship, particularly the veterans on the team who view their role in producing these flags as a final gift they can give to the families of those who served.
"I served 23 years in the U.S. Army and so anytime you receive a flag, regardless of the reason, it's meaningful," says Elizabeth Kennedy, director of enterprise assurance, Phoenix. "Whether you're a veteran, government service employee, family member, it has meaning."
There are quality inspections at each step, ensuring that the flags meet the strictest standards, are delivered on time and on budget, and are a fitting tribute for the solemn role they'll fill. This rigorous quality control ensures total conformity to all official drawings, technical specifications, strict standards, and comprehensive quality assurance requirements.
"We operate on pride," says Marcia Custer, lead worker, Phoenix. "We make sure that we have 100% quality."
While Phoenix employees don’t know the name of the service member each flag will honor, they do know the purpose of the destination and that only the highest quality will do.
"We understand that this product will be not only used to honor the fallen veteran, but it will also be presented to their family member," says Traci Strong, assistant director of manufacturing, Phoenix. "And so, with that in mind, we have to ensure that we're sending out a quality product to show our respect for the warfighter and their family."
While the materials are sourced entirely in America, the materials are also used entirely. Rather than discard excess cloth, remnants are collected and sewn into American flag tote bags with the same precision, care, and respect by the same employees with disabilities who produce the burial flags.
By manufacturing products, made in America, and providing essential services to the federal government, AbilityOne federal contractors like Phoenix, North Bay Industries, and Goodwill South Florida are providing jobs to Americans with disabilities and strengthening America's economy. From materials to manpower, America is made here.
Learn more at AmericaIsMadeHere.org.
