KEYPORT — Kitsap Sea Cadets will fan out into their communities with 100 new American flags to replace worn and tattered ones at homes and businesses, after a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum.
Guardians of Old Glory presented the American-made flags Oct. 4 to the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps’ Scorpion Squadron 13-2. The flags were sponsored by Frank Siller, founder of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The cadets will also make sure the old flags are respectfully retired.
About 50 people attended, including Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler, Marines SSgt Joseph Urbina, SSgt Lugo and Sgt Gonzalez, and Sea Cadet leader Debbie Bamer. Wheeler and the three Marines spoke to the cadets.
Jay Gal of Guardians of Old Glory said the cadets were given an assignment: When they replace a flag, ask the homeowner, “What does the American flag mean to you?”
The ceremony also recognized Gal’s brother, Chris Gal, who served five years on submarines and recently retired after 31 years at the Kitsap shipyards. Jay Gal said his brother’s Navy service inspired him to follow in his footsteps and shaped the idea behind the group.
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