Just In Time For Flag Day Weekend

U.S.S. Reno outbound in the Golden Gate

California

January 25, 1944

 Photo courtesy of The National Archives

This United States flag which flew on the U.S.S. Reno during WWII disappeared when

rioters broke into the Reno City Hall and smashed its display case. According to

Breitbart News, the men of the U.S.S. Reno were credited with shooting down

five enemy airplanes and assisted in the downing of at least two more at Iwo Jima.

Having been on loan from the Department of the Navy, this treasured piece

of American history was feared to have been destroyed by fire as the rioters

were burning American flags in the streets of Reno last weekend.

However, when Kenzie Margiott, the Content Manager for Reno's KRVN News 4

arrived to work this past Tuesday, she was surprised to find a box with her

 name written on it waiting for her.  Thinking the package to be a gift sent for

her upcoming birthday, Margiott opened it only to find that it contained the

 missing flag along with a manila identification tag: '85-55-A USS Reno CL-96'.

Also included was a handwritten note written with a Sharpie marker

which read, "Needed protecting. Looters were flag burning.

R.I.P. George Floyd."

City officials in Reno were overwhelmed by emotion to find out

that the flag had been returned unharmed.  As Kenzie Margiott 

 stated, "The U.S.S. Reno means a lot to the Biggest Little City."

And while it still remains unclear who sent the flag and why 

they sent it to her, to Margiott, the daughter of a U.S. Marine,

 the identity of the sender does not really matter.

"I am humbled that someone took it upon themselves to do

the right thing and return the flag." she said.

 As the proud daughter of a U.S. Marine myself,

so am I, Ms. Margiott.

Flag of the U.S.S. Reno has been safely returned.