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.
“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.”
He had to do something. He picked up the phone and called the Salvation Army, where the flag was.
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.
Dybka learned the flags were to be folded up and sent out of the country. So he negotiated to buy both for $50.
Dybka wasn’t quite sure what to do next, so he reached out on social media for help.
“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.
That’s where these flags will ultimately get the retirement ceremony they deserve. He’s donating them to the VFW, and the scouts are going to help retire them with the vets.
Dybka was a scout growing up. His wife is an army vet. So he says he’s grateful for this opportunity.
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.”
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. The retirement ceremony may happen around Memorial Day.
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