# <center>The Hamburger Saint Project</center>
<center>is a ***pay it forward*** initiative launched by Frank Q., AKA @lexikon082<br>to honor the life and legacy of **Sgt. Michael Barkey.**</center>

<center>![HSP-3.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbtoE8wDvY6J4ey929r4hXoHZNoH1ByuaHrn7Fz6k1dnd/HSP-3.jpg)</center>


### Read these:<p>[> The genesis of the Hamburger Saint Project](https://steemit.com/steemit/@lexikon082/a-steemit-community-project-the-hamburger-saint-project-in-memory-of-sgt-michael-barkey-repost)<br>[> My tribute to Sgt. Barkey and shout out to @lexikon082](https://steemit.com/payitforward/@merej99/hamburger-saint-project-a-tribute-to-a-fallen-soldier)</p>

By happenstance or fate, Frank picked my name to be one of the first recipients of this initiative; a project which I fully support. Today I received the package from the Hamburger Saint Project, as well as a long letter from one of my boys in bootcamp! 

***It was a good mail day for me.***

As promised, I am writing this to reveal what was received and call out to you, my dedicated readers and friends, to see if you will commit to this project.

### How can you participate?
In the Senate's Congressional Record, they wrote: *"We know that Michael is in heaven continuing to spread the laughter he did while on earth. And perhaps the Barkey family is right - Michael is still cracking jokes, exchanging war stories with his grandfather, **and is now the patron saint of Cheetos or hamburgers."***

As a project of love and remembrance, the Hamburger Saint Project it is intended to be *"fun and loving" as Michael was.*

To #payitforward, two Steemians who have committed to participating will receive a gift. Those two will then #payitforward to another two, and so on. Each participant writes a blog post about what they've received and call out to their community to perpetuate the project.

The gifts do not have to be new or expensive. They must have personal meaning to the sender. ***Gifts sent with love and thoughtfulness is the key.*** If you wish to have your name drawn to receive a HSP gift from me, please leave a comment expressly stating you want to be involved. 

If you are selected you are committing to a reveal post and sending two gifts out.

# The gift reveal
I think I may have been disappointed if I didn't get a snack bag of Cheetos but Frank did not let me down!  LOL
<center>**What floored me were the real gifts he sent.**</center>

![HSP-1.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWWwr8zi9bAHwwzVunebcXtBdAZCpPQ2TTjZmA5Yd5FY3/HSP-1.jpg)

![HSP-2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmevCNqyozQPVfvWHMrA9527FVAR2qZGkGRmRewp3Jt2rN/HSP-2.jpg)

Frank and I had one conversation about arrowheads. He told me he found a few when he was hiking. I told him about my childhood walks in the woods and finding some of my own, only to lose them later on, much to my distress. I love artifacts and history. In truth, and this may sound strange, but more than fascination, I've always felt a soul connection with Native American culture and tradition. 

***But the flag...***
Being gifted the flag actually had my hands shaking as tears rolled down my cheeks. There is so much meaning behind a flag, ***but this one...*** This flag is attached to a man who has lived through the hell of war,  lost friends,  struggles with PTSD, battles the call of alcohol and still finds the strength to get up and be a loving father, husband, and a good man.

I wondered how difficult it was to part with such a piece of one's self?
I wondered if I was worthy of such a gift.

And I was touched by the remembrance of another flag. My husband Pat has also seen terrible things in war. I call them things he talks about never talking about. He protects me from those things. And ever since my boys have joined the Marine Corps, he reminisces much more about his days in the service. He talks about the flag his uncle gave him and how it was always in his pocket no matter where he was deployed. 

Somewhere - Some time ago during a move or a divorce, he lost that flag. I see the sadness in his eyes when he thinks about it; the one tangible memento *gone.* So, I look at the flag Frank gifted and cannot help but think ***WOW*** that must have been so very hard to part with and I am *honored* to be the recipient of it.

## Will you carry on the Hamburger Saint Project?
Please let me know if you are interested in throwing your name in for a chance to be a part of this wonderful project. Let's perpetuate Sgt. Michael Barkey's gift of love and laughter.

**And while you're at it...**
Be sure to follow @lexikon082 if you don't already. 

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<center>This is a 50/50 post and all liquid STEEM and/or SBD will be donated to the</center>
# <center>Hamburger Saint Project</center>
<center>to help offset shipping costs for anyone who wishes to participate.</center>
<center> *** </center>
<center>**My boys' battalion colors and platoon number**</center>


| <center>![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmSvhLrVaKDUVenY5nhQeXE35vgR32EyKnAqnzqANMkdi3/3050-LEO-3-M-_icon.png)<br>**Mighty Mikes**</center> | <center>![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmeYRQyGvhrySj7K97UjwJct58b8QiQb21u4V2SirNVUx4/2061-LEO-2-E-_icon.png)<br>**Easy (Evil) Echo**</center> |
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