Joshua Dybka of Ramona is a crane operator downtown. His daily view is one of the best in the city. From his crane cab, he’s almost seen it all. However, a few days back, this was a first, even for him.<\/p>\n
“I look on the ground and there’s an American flag laying on the ground and it’s huge,” he said. “When I saw it just lying on the ground, literally the hair on the back of my neck stood up.”<\/p>\n
He had to do something. He picked up the phone and called the Salvation Army, where the flag was.<\/p>\n
That’s when he learned there were actually two flags. They had just been sold, so the store put him in touch with their new owner.<\/p>\n
Dybka learned the flags were to be folded up and sent out of the country. So he negotiated to buy both for $50.<\/p>\n
Dybka wasn’t quite sure what to do next, so he reached out on social media for help.<\/p>\n
“The outpouring from the community was incredible. I’ve been contacted by Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops as well as the VFW,” Dybka said.<\/p>\n
That’s where these flags will ultimately get the retirement ceremony they deserve. He\u2019s donating them to the VFW, and the scouts are going to help retire them with the vets.<\/p>\n
Dybka was a scout growing up. His wife is an army vet. So he says he’s grateful for this opportunity.<\/p>\n
He said, “I was always taught that gratitude is an action verb, To feel grateful about something implies that we’re doing something. So I feel good to be a part of making sure that that flag is laid to rest properly and not discarded like a piece of trash.”<\/p>\n
He estimates one of the flags is as large as 25-feet by 60-feet. The other he said could cover the entire roof of his house. \u00a0The retirement ceremony may happen around Memorial Day.<\/p>\n
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