PEORIA, Ill. (WAND) - 100 years ago the “war to end all wars” came to and end and that same day the mother of a Peoria resident waved a flag that would be passed down from generation to generation, full of history and memories.
On November, 11, 1918, the mother of Ann Christophel was 4-years-old and her parents took her to a parade to celebrate the end of World War I.
“They gave her this [flag] and she waved it during the parades and the entire celebration that was going on in Indianapolis. Her mother wrote on it because it was going to be a keepsake flag and it says “carried by Marjory A. Durham on November 11, 1918 the signing of the armistice,” Christophel said.
The flag is a symbol of family and patriotism for her.
“My grandfather and my mother and my grandmother all touched this flag and held it, and i hold it and then each of my grandchildren holds it and it just connects those generations that would have no connections otherwise,” she said.
Christophel is a former teacher who still uses her most prized possession to bring history alive.
“history is not just in a book. It was real people doing real things,” she explained.
Before passing in 2002 her mother asked Christophel what she wanted of hers and Christophel only asked for the flag. Now in it’s 100th year, she said her mom would be more than happy.
“She would be would be absolutely thrilled because this meant so much to her and it looks pretty rag-tag looking. as i said it was the most precious thing i could ask of all the things that she had to offer. That and the undying love,” she laughed.
