To understand Take Down The Flags you have to go back a few years. The original idea was a collection of short stories based on real life memories from people who had experienced war and the aftermath. What did they remember? Was it all misery? Did they wave the flags when the ceasefire happened? Did they actually - miss - it? Instead of just writing up what they said I have used (with their permission) their stories and recollections as a basis to form various stories. Names and places have been changed and various stories have been altered for dramatic purposes. But this is really what the book is about. Stories. Reflections. A chance for people to look back. To laugh, to cry, to relive the pain, the sorrow and the good times. To make you live again.