American Flag Flown in Iraq Given to the Shores

Just hours before United States troops pulled out of Iraq, a special mission was conducted for St. Clair Shores.

A request was made by resident Paul Doppke, who owns Landscape Services, to obtain a flag for the city and have it displayed in .

He had asked Macomb Township resident Dean Smith, who is president of Always Brothers which supports veterans and the families of those who gave their lives serving the country, for a flag for the city.

The men first met when Doppke volunteered to landscape a Macomb Township home for wounded veteran, at no charge.

Smith contacted his friend U.S. Army Capt. Michael Boelk, who in typical military fashion, went above and beyond the call of duty to fulfill the request.

"He said, 'We are getting shot at, we are pulling out of Iraq. It isn't really safe over here, but I will do the best I can,'" said Smith.

Boelk fulfilled the request, and then some. He obtained three flags that flew over Camp Taji three days before U.S. military pulled out of Iraq.

The flags were sent to Smith.

Even though Doppke didn't request a flag, Boelk obtained one for the philanthropic business owner. He also got one for Koulchar, which Smith said surprised the veteran.

"He asked me, 'Did you do this on-purpose?'" Smith said.

Koulchar told him Camp Taji was his base, and where he was serving when he lost both his legs to an improvised explosive device.

Smith joined Doppke, who is also president of the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association, and Shawn Nicholson, vice-president of the association, to present the framed flag to the city Monday.

"We appreciate not only your service to the United States of America, and all of us, but what you still for the men and women of the armed services," said Mayor Kip Walby to Smith. "We can't give you enough gratitude for what you do."

Smith, while appreciative, also acknowledged the hard work and generosity of Doppke.

"I need a couple of more guys like him to change the world," Smith said.