Alabama soldier whose request for state flag was initially rejected has now received 21

MONTGOMERY , Al.
A soldier from Alabama stationed in Afghanistan said he has received 21 state flags since The Birmingham News late last month reported that Gov. Robert Bentley's office, citing budget constraints, had refused to send him a state flag after he requested one to fly at his camp.
Army Sergeant First Class Howard J. Blake Jr. in an email received this morning said that so far he has received 21 state flags, three U.S. flags, two Auburn flags, two Bama flags, ''lots of food and snacks for the guys,'' letters from at least nine state government officials and more than 200 emails from Alabamians ''offering kind words and support.''
Blake wrote that he is flying two of the state flags at his camp near Kandahar, six have been given to other soldiers from Alabama and most of the rest ''are awaiting a home with another Alabama soldier.''
''The outpouring of support that we have received from many concerned citizens in Alabama and a few other states has been amazing,'' Blake wrote.
Bentley last month changed his office's policy. A top aide said its policy now is to provide a state flag requested by any Alabama service member serving in a combat zone.
Blake wrote that, ''I do want people to know that no hard feelings are harbored toward our governor for the initial denial of the requested flag. He did change the policy and send a flag as soon as he heard of the initial denial.''
Blake wrote that he got word recently that a package from Bentley was in Kandahar on the desk of a sergeant, ''and should be to me in a day or two.''