The recently received an American flag that was flown over the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan. The banner was presented in honor of Gig Harbor’s partnership with the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
According to President and CEO Warren Zimmerman, he accepted the flag on behalf of the City at the Community Partnership Breakfast that he attended in June.
He said mayors and chamber representatives from the communities with military outreach programs were invited.
After a brief presentation by Lt. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the lieutenant general presented at least 10 communities, including Gig Harbor, with the U.S. flag and a plaque that read:
“This American Flag flew over the ISAF Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan on 16 May 2012. This flag is presented in honor of your patriotism and support of our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom. Please accept this symbol of or sacrifice for freedom’s sake.”
Gig Harbor’s local partnership with the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade started in 2008.
“The colonel who was in charge of this brigade came to Gig Harbor because we were a fair distance from the JBLM,” Zimmerman said. “They wanted to see if Gig Harbor would be a good partner for the soldiers and the brigade.”
Over the years, Gig Harbor and the brigade have worked together on numerous projects including , Santa’s Castle and the . In fact, the brigade’s current commanding officer Col. Norwood said Gig Harbor and the brigade have the “most successful community partnership on JBLM”, according to Zimmerman.
Last month, the City of Gig Harbor .
Zimmerman said he hopes to present the flag to the City at a future city council meeting.
