UCLA Athletics Presented with Flags by Armed ForcesUCLA Athletics Presented with Flags by Armed Forces

UCLA Athletics Presented with Flags by Armed Forces

Bruin Athletics

The UCLA Athletic Department and the UCLA Gymnastics team were each presented with American flags earlier this fall that had been flown over Afghanistan in their honor by armed forces members on Septe

Nov. 13, 2011

The UCLA Athletic Department and the UCLA Gymnastics team were each presented with American flags earlier this fall that had been flown over Afghanistan in their honor by armed forces members on September 11.

SMSgt David Murphy of the United States Air Force sent the department a UCLA banner and U.S. flag that were aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker flown by Major Gene McKee, 1Lt Matthew Miller and A1C Joshua Eidson. The crew was on a combat aerial refueling mission over hostile territory in Afghanistan, Tajikstan and Kyrgyz Republic on Sept. 11, 2011.

Murphy sent the flag and banner with a certificate back to the UCLA Athletic Department with a note stating, "Thank you for your continued support. The men and women of the armed services deploy for 6 to 12 months at a time. The connections to normal 'Americana' can be few and far between. The support that UCLA provided to your armed services lifted our morale and connected us to our home. Not only do we want to extend our thanks for the gift of jerseys and collegiate pride; we wanted to pass along our thanks for the gift of the priceless support you have given us. You cannot put a price tag on the feeling that comes with knowing that the home world knows and cares about our well being."

Additionally, the U.S. Navy presented the UCLA Gymnastics team an American flag that was flown on Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan on Sept. 11, 2010. U.S. Navy officer Chris Lutton personally presented the team the flag and a certificate in September of this year.

The certificate states: "Be it known by all, this flag was flown in the face of the enemy, illuminated in the dark by the light of justice, and bears witness to the removal of terrorist forces threatening the freedom of the United States of America. It was flown with great honor and pride on Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, where each day Americans fight the Global War on Terrorism in remembrance of all who have lost their lives."

"Without the tireless work of all of our Armed Forces to preserve and maintain our freedom, the United States would not be what it is today," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. "We are honored that two branches took the time to include UCLA Athletics in their plans on the anniversary of what has become a very important day in our nation's history."