JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- An American flag has been on a seventeen year journey around the globe and stopped through the joint base Nov. 30, on its way to the 75th Pearl Harbor anniversary ceremony.
Old Glory started the expedition in 1999 at Valley Forge and was designed to end in 2004, but with a positive response it is still traveling 12 years later.
“As long as the interest is there, the tour will continue for the foreseeable future,” said Dave Pawlewicz, Old Glory Tour creator. “I saw the tour as an opportunity to say ‘thanks’ to the veterans and active military and to tell their stories.”
After Old Glory is flown at Pearl Harbor, it will be on its way to the Middle East where it will celebrate the holiday season before making its way back to Washington D.C. for the inauguration parade.
Through the span of its journey the flag has flown in a multitude of aircraft, on the deck of an aircraft carrier, been submerged in a submarine, and has been to countless military and civilian ceremonies and schools.
Old Glory stopped by JB MDL to catch a ride with one of our crews to Travis Air Force Base, CA.
“It’s an honor to be a part of this tradition,” said Capt. Dan Emirbayer, 32nd Air Refueling Squadron aircraft commander. “Being part of the crew to bring the flag out to Pearl Harbor is a great opportunity.”
At the tour's end, Old Glory, along with all the pictures, letters, certificates and other memorabilia from the many trips around the globe, will be given to an appropriate museum.