By Tom Flanigan
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-887493.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – A very special American flag now flies from the flagpole at Leon County's Ghazvini Learning Center. It's a gift from an Afghan War veteran who formed a close bond with Ghazvini students from the battlefield.
A formal color guard from the Tallahassee Fire Department reverently raises the Stars and Stripes on high. The flag once flew over Corporal Michael Radley's Army base in Afghanistan.
"This flag that's here unfortunately was actually in that sandstorm that I have pictures of, and so it made it a little dingy, but it makes it authentic."
During his year in Afghanistan, Radley struck up a lively e-mail correspondence with several Ghazvini students.
"They were always corresponding with me. They were always asking questions. The biggest questions were about the U-A-V's go Florida State instead of Florida and of course from the tattoos, so it was it was awesome."
Radley's been back home for three weeks. He says he'll stay in the Army, although he hopes another tour in Afghanistan isn't in the cards.