About us
With over 20 years of combined military service, the husband and wife team behind Graybeard Creations love all things patriotic. Dave is a Green beret, Firefighter/EMT and Sarah is in the Navy as a Medical Service Corps Officer, having served with the USMC for most of her career.*
Sarah and Dave come from families who have served in the U. S. Military and/or community:
Both of Dave and Sarah’s grandparents served in the military. Sarah’s grandfather served in the Navy during World War II. Sarah’s grandmothers also served as a WAVE and civilian for the U. S. Army.
One of Dave’s grandfathers served a career in the Army and the other served in the Merchant Marines and was a Golden Gloves boxer in Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y. Two of Dave’s uncles served in the U. S. Army and one in the U.S. Navy.
Sarah’s grandfather also served his community as a volunteer firefighter from the age of 14 (minus his time in the Navy) until well into his sixties. Her father was a volunteer firefighter for several years in the same department as part of the Dive team.
Sarah followed their footsteps, becoming an EMT as soon as she was old enough and watched the Twin Towers fall from New Jersey a year later, leading her to join the U. S. Navy through ROTC beginning in the fall of 2002. Dave, in Connecticut, wasn’t entirely sure about his path and denied an appointment to West Point while he figured it out (he originally wanted to enlist; Sarah still didn’t know the difference at this point, she just wanted to be a doctor). After two years of State school, Dave started at Norwich in 2004, where they met. They were married in 2007 on the beach aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station and now have two children: Evan, 8 and Emma, 4.
Since they met while attending Norwich University, Dave and Sarah believe strongly in the concept of the Citizen Soldier - that service to country is not limited to those that serve in the Armed Forces. The intent of Norwich’s founder was to create “moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens.” While passionate about their military careers, Dave and Sarah are equally passionate about service to country in the form of Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatch, and other forms of public service. Our country could not function if not for the dedication of those who contribute positively to society. It also relies on the support of its citizens. Our three percenter flag represents both the few that stood against tyranny during the birth of our country and the fact that only about 3% of the U. S. population today have served or are currently serving in the U. S. Armed Forces. While this is a special flag for those with military ties, it should also be an important symbol for those who support the members of the military.
This is why coupon code: CITIZENSOLDIER is available to all customers who claim service to country during checkout.
Each of these flags represents service to this country. What began as a desire to create something awesome for their home has grown into a passionate business.
Thank you for your service and/or your patriotism!
Sarah and Dave come from families who have served in the U. S. Military and/or community:
Both of Dave and Sarah’s grandparents served in the military. Sarah’s grandfather served in the Navy during World War II. Sarah’s grandmothers also served as a WAVE and civilian for the U. S. Army.
One of Dave’s grandfathers served a career in the Army and the other served in the Merchant Marines and was a Golden Gloves boxer in Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y. Two of Dave’s uncles served in the U. S. Army and one in the U.S. Navy.
Sarah’s grandfather also served his community as a volunteer firefighter from the age of 14 (minus his time in the Navy) until well into his sixties. Her father was a volunteer firefighter for several years in the same department as part of the Dive team.
Sarah followed their footsteps, becoming an EMT as soon as she was old enough and watched the Twin Towers fall from New Jersey a year later, leading her to join the U. S. Navy through ROTC beginning in the fall of 2002. Dave, in Connecticut, wasn’t entirely sure about his path and denied an appointment to West Point while he figured it out (he originally wanted to enlist; Sarah still didn’t know the difference at this point, she just wanted to be a doctor). After two years of State school, Dave started at Norwich in 2004, where they met. They were married in 2007 on the beach aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station and now have two children: Evan, 8 and Emma, 4.
Since they met while attending Norwich University, Dave and Sarah believe strongly in the concept of the Citizen Soldier - that service to country is not limited to those that serve in the Armed Forces. The intent of Norwich’s founder was to create “moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens.” While passionate about their military careers, Dave and Sarah are equally passionate about service to country in the form of Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatch, and other forms of public service. Our country could not function if not for the dedication of those who contribute positively to society. It also relies on the support of its citizens. Our three percenter flag represents both the few that stood against tyranny during the birth of our country and the fact that only about 3% of the U. S. population today have served or are currently serving in the U. S. Armed Forces. While this is a special flag for those with military ties, it should also be an important symbol for those who support the members of the military.
This is why coupon code: CITIZENSOLDIER is available to all customers who claim service to country during checkout.
Each of these flags represents service to this country. What began as a desire to create something awesome for their home has grown into a passionate business.
Thank you for your service and/or your patriotism!
*As a new business, GBC is not currently classified as a Veteran-Owned business as of November 2018, but we are in the application process and hope to become one soon.
Dave sanding down flags, one of the final steps in the flat flag-making process; to ensure smooth edges.
Final burn to ensure the edges are consistent. The last step is to add felt to the back and mounting hardware for easy install and minimal wall damage.