Paying tribute to 'Old Glory'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  She was there when George Washington first crossed the Delaware. She was raised when the devastation of Sept. 11, 2001 change American lives forever. She covers the coffins of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and stands watch over the graves of U.S. war veterans. She is the American flag.

When the news of the disposal of a number of U.S. flags came to the attention of Lt. Col. Steven Paxton, 509th Communications Squadron commander, he decided to "rescue" Old Glory from her impending fate.

"I heard from my deputy commander, Capt. Jason Mayne, who is currently forward deployed that there were a number of flags that were in DRMO, many of which were unserviceable due to neglect, I felt compelled to 'save' some of them," said Colonel Paxton.

Captain Mayne was successfully able to salvage two of the soon-to-be-disposed of flags and send them back to Whiteman. One will be displayed in the 509th CS new Consolidated Communications Facility later this year and the other will be donated to the base.

"The flag represents many things to many people, but to those of us in uniform, those who have sworn to uphold and protect our way of life, the flag represents all that we protect and serve," said Colonel Paxton. "It also represents those that have come before us that have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure all Americans, and those in other nations, are afforded those rights that we hold so dear."

When the flags arrived, the colonel found them neatly packaged, like dinner napkins, wrapped in plastic.

"It struck me that the squadron could benefit from the opportunity to unfurl and then fold these two massive 20' x 38' garrison flags, giving them the respect they so rightfully deserve," Colonel Paxton said.

Soon after, Master Sgt. Rob Jackson, 509th CS first sergeant, set up a flag-folding detail in the base gym to do just that. More than 20 509th CS Airmen volunteered to properly fold the flags.

"I wanted our junior Airmen to be a part of this so they could understand the importance of our flag, and although, it was not necessary for us to refold these flags - it was the right thing to do," said Sergeant Jackson. "These flags will be a part of the comm family forever."

Colonel Paxton concurred, "I believe this was the right thing to do, and I'm extremely proud of all our Comm Squadron Airmen, who stepped forward to volunteer a few minutes to show their respect to the symbol of our country and our freedom."

An experienced Whiteman Honor Guard member, Airman 1st Class David Wolff, lead one of the flag-folding details.

"This was a never done-before flag-folding, I wanted to be a part of it to make sure it was done right," said Airman Wolff. "Folding a flag may seem like a small task, but it is something one should take pride in. It symbolizes everything we fight for."