I like the looks of this! My eldest son is a TSgt in the USAF. He wants a coin rack and I want to make a retirement shadow box sooner rather than later, as I don't know which side of the turf I'll be on in 9 years. Combining both would make it easier. I folded up a flag that is 5' on the long side and folded not too tightly it's about 13" on the hypotenuse. Not sure how your flag will come out so much bigger. I'd ask your BiL if he would like Navy Blue cloth or paint on the flip side of the walnut ply.

Steven- Random Orbital Nailer