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KABUL, Afghanistan (July 4, 2008) - More than 50 U.S. Sailors
rendered a salute as their nation's colors were raised over Camp
Eggers in honor of America's Independence Day. What made the
ceremony so special was the American flag had only 48 stars.
The flag was flown courtesy of retired Navy Cmdr. Joseph Agra
III, who works at the Kabul International Airport as a logistics
mentor for the Afghan National Army Air Corps.
Agra acquired the flag from a Filipino fisherman while living in
the Philippines in 2000. The fisherman retrieved it from his net
while fishing off the coast of the Bataan Peninsula.
"I saw the flag on a pole and asked the fisherman where he got
it," Agra said. "After he told me, I asked if I could have it. He
sold it to me for ten dollars."
Agra said after taking the flag home and washing it, his son
realized it only had 48 stars. Upon this discovery, Agra started
researching flags for a hint of its origin.
Because the 48-star flag was only flown between 1912 and 1959,
Agra theorized that it came from one of five U.S. Navy ships that
were sunk by the Imperial Japanese Forces in the opening months of
World War II.
"I researched the ships that were sunk in hostile fire, instead
of being scuttled," Agra said. "When you're scuttled, you take
everything you can off the ship. I think this flag went down with a
ship."
For eight years, Agra carried the flag with him to several
locations. He has flown the flag over camps in the Philippines,
Kuwait, Iraq and now, Afghanistan.
After the flag was raised, Navy Capt. Shawno May, Combined
Security Transition Command-Afghanistan command surgeon
directorate, spoke to the formation of Sailors.
"The men that served under this flag more than 50 years ago gave
their last full measure of devotion," May said. "These men were
fighting in the Philippines to help freedom ring in a land where it
wasn't. Again, America finds itself in a country where freedom is
just beginning to ring."
Master Chief Bennie Gloria, CSTC-A Equal Opportunity advisor,
said the ceremony was a perfect way to start the Independence Day
celebration.
"It's very important that we remember our shipmates that came
before us and lost their lives," Gloria said. "We are their
legacy."
When the ceremony ended, the Sailors took turns touching the
flag and taking in a little part of history.
"I wanted to share it with others," Agra said. "I could have
kept it and hung it in my living room, but then I would only see
it."
Agra retired from active duty last year and will return to his
home in the Philippines after his tour in Afghanistan. When he
returns, he plans to donate the flag to a World War II museum and
American cemetery near the location it was found.
"It's their flag," Agra said, speaking of the veterans who lost
their life in World War II. "It's a symbol. These men lost their
lives fighting for their country, they are buried there. That is
where the flag should be."
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