Anthony Guadagnino has served under the flag his entire adult life.

“I’ve been serving this country for 18 years. Making the flag just works,” said Guadagnino.

The longtime Marine has found a second career honoring Old Glory by crafting decorative wooden flags. From his home in Melrose, Guadagnino runs Veteran Made Woodworks. It is a two-year-old business with five employees, all of them veterans.

Guadagnino is a graduate of Boots to Business, a free entrepreneurship program offered to veterans and their spouses at no cost.

“This program has given me that path to say 'I am not going to work for anybody when I retire,' ” he said.

A session was held at the Watervliet Arsenal Friday.

“This is a valuable curriculum, just based on the veterans are getting trained in the military on leadership skills, tenacity, values, and that can transition right into entrepreneurship,” said Director of Veteran Business Outreach Center Amy Amoroso.

It’s put on by the Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership and the Small Business Administration. Congressman Paul Tonko sponsored the event.

“The two of them provide just a great foundation by which to prepare yourself for the business plans you require,” Rep. Tonko said.

Guadagnino credits the course with giving him the skills to expand. He recently built a workshop next to his house.

“The whole idea of creating something that everybody can stand behind and rally around and spreading patriotism, that means a lot to me, more than money ever will,” Guadagnino said.

For more information of Veteran Made Woodworks, visit VeteranMadeNY.com.