The morning after one of Dogwood’s worst summer storms, the neighborhood dogs gathered together to inspect Mother Nature’s damage. The dog friends had never heard wind howl like that, driving rain pound the windows of their homes with such force, and the thunder and lightning, well that was just about as scary as can be. Along Main Street, the damage was everywhere. Fallen tree branches, windows brokens, and American flags strewn all of the street, broken off their posts like toothpicks.

Rocky the Dalmatian stepped forward. “I know these flags, they were made for the Veterans home,” he barked to the group. “Our fire station volunteered to deliver and set them up 3 years ago. I would recognize these anywhere.” The other dogs looked on as Rocky surveilled all the broken American flag posts with an obvious tinge of sadness. Nora barked proudly, “well Rocky, let’s get ’em back to where they belong, who is with me?” Rocky picked up the first flag and barked back with honor, “I’ll lead the way, team.”

One by one, the neighborhood dog friends – Nora, Rookie, Dozier, Scout, and their leader, Rocky – grabbed a broken flag post. Rocky, head held high now, marched out front. “Come on gang, I know the way,” yelped Rocky. Dog after dog followed, mirroring Rocky’s proud walk with flag in mouth. This storm wasn’t going to dampen their love of country and their respect for the flag and what it represented to them, the Veterans, and the citizens of Dogwood.

As Rocky and the neighborhood dogs made their way through Dogwood, citizens were staring and curious and interested in the dogs impromptu parade. A little girl popped out of her house with a drum and starting tapping a beat. A boy came from out of the Dogwood Diner with his trumpet and blew a wonderful sound. Citizens began following the dogs, picking up debris here and there, but mostly following the dogs and cheering loudly, “USA, USA.”

A volunteer at the Dogwood Fire Department spotted Rocky and the neighborhood dogs with the American Flags clenched in the mouths, and the huge impromptu parade of Dogwood citizens in tow and called into the Veterans Home. “Hey, everyone come out and see this. Check out Rocky, and there’s Dozier and Scout,” he yelled. Rocky felt a patriotic spirit from head to tail leading the group. The parade stopped in front of the Veterans home and Nora barked up to signal their arrival. The crowd cheered as the Veterans started to come out to acknowledge their flags coming home.

“Let’s salute these heroes and return their American flags the right way, team,” barked a very proud and patriotic Rocky. The neighborhood dogs then lined up, sat up straight, presented their retrieved American Flags to the Veterans, and continue to sit and salute. The Veterans, proud Americans themselves, saluted the dogs for their heroic gesture. The National Anthem was played over the PA system at the Veterans home and every one and dog stood proudly, together as a community, the Dogwood Community.