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Appreciation for war hangs on their wall

Nancy and Joe Segreti say the flag from their grandson, who served in Iraq, represents the benefits that Americans get from U.S. efforts overseas.

By APRIL SIMPSON
Published January 9, 2006

	[Times photo: Will Vragovic]
	Joe and Nancy Segreti of Homosassa hold a flag given to them by their grandson, Joseph Michael Segreti, who served in the Navy in Iraq for six months. They say the flag he gave them was flown during a Nov. 11 mission their grandson performed with Patrol Squadron Ten, or the "Red Lancers," as an in-flight technician.

HOMOSASSA - Mostly typical decorations brighten up the Segreti home: pictures of their four sons and grandchildren, a green throw that covers the wall above their living room sofa.

But none of the mementos measure up to the items hanging beside their front door that honors their grandson's military service and supports the president's judgment in Iraq.

Strategically placed, the flag, which is held in a triangular wooden case with stars facing out, was a belated Christmas gift from the couple's 25-year-old grandson, Joseph Michael Segreti, who visited them after a six-month stint in war-torn Iraq.

The Segretis said the flag was flown during a Nov. 11 mission their grandson performed with Patrol Squadron Ten, or the "Red Lancers," which is based in Qatar.

"I thought, "That's something strangers should see,"' Nancy Segreti said as she gestured toward the piece. "To me, it's something like real art. We were really taken by it."

Beneath the flag hangs a certificate that dedicates it to the couple and validates that it flew during a Navy combat mission "in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom." Because the certificate held their nicknames, rather than their proper names, Joseph and Annunziata, the couple said the gift held even more value.

"I'm kind of proud of it and thankful that he made it safely to show us that," said Joe Segreti, a retired Navy engineer who fought in the Korean War.

Despite low public approval ratings for President Bush and the war in Iraq, the Segretis wanted to share their support for the president and show that the soldiers and people there are reaping the benefits of U.S. involvement.

"My husband and I, we're for the war," said Nancy Segreti, 67. "My husband always says, "If you don't fight it there, you're going to fight it here."'

Their grandson, an airplane troubleshooter who's stationed in Maine, delivered a positive report concerning Iraq.

"He didn't have anything bad to say about why he was there, and he did make that joke about Bush, "Everyone blames Bush,' but in Iraq, they didn't like hearing that," said Nancy Segreti, a retired school bus driver.

When Joseph Michael Segreti considered following in his grandfather's footsteps by joining the Navy, Joe Segreti, a retired photo technician, advised him on the positive and negative aspects of enlisting.

By hanging the flag, certificate and picture of his grandson by the door, Joe Segreti wants people to know that his grandson's hard work paid off. "We wanted to share this with people to show loyalty to our country and to show people who are doubtful of why we went in there, that we can appreciate something like this as parents, and as grandparents," he said.

[Last modified January 9, 2006, 00:56:11]