Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Help flying Flag from Whitney Peak for Military

Hello fellow hikers! I am looking for someone who will be hiking Mt Whitney in the next week or so that would be willing to carry and briefly fly a small (2'x4') nylon American flag from the peak for my husband's retirement from the US Navy next month.

It is military tradition to present a retiree with a flag that has been flown from somewhere meaningful to the recipient. Some common locations are flags flown from the White House or the hospital in which the person was born, the Pentagon etc. My husband has served 21 years in the Navy, and has climbed Mt Whitney 4 times and this mountain has always been a special place for him. He wanted to fly his retirement flag from the peak himself, but family issues came up and now we are just out of time to plan a trip ourselves before his retirement ceremony. He has given up on the idea so I would like to surprise him with the flag. I know he will be so touched that someone would be willing to do this for him.

I live in the San Diego area and could drop the flag off with someone who is close by or I can mail it to you if you are farther away, of course I would pay all shipping. If possible I would like to have the flag back by the last week of August so I can have it included in his shadow box with his medals, ribbons and other special accomplishments.

If you are willing to help or need more information, please contact me at nshortall@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Man, what I wouldn't do for the Navy...My A$$ Rode In Navy Equipment (MARINE). I would do this in a heartbeat!

I know of a couple people who are going on August 28. I will forward this to them to see if it is possible.

Congratulations on your husband's retirement. Will you please thank him for his service.

and....

Semper Fidelis

Thanks for the reply and for passing the request on to your friends. Let me know what they say.

My husband and I both pre-commissioned the USS Bataan LHD-5 back in 1996 which carried 1000 brave Marines, you guys rock! Thank you for your service as well. Oorah!

I have a Marine friend who is hiking it next week. I'll ask him to look at this thread.

I would have loved to do this... but hiked yesterday! What a great idea, looks like you have some leads.

Are you related to Matt, the former Blue Angel?

Thanks Bruce. No we are not related to Matt that I am aware of.

Great idea.. I served in the USN myself. I was scheduled to go up the MR today but had to cancel also. Another friend (served as a USN Seal) and I are going to try to get to the mountain on the week of the 25th. Email me if you don't find anyone by then.
good luck!
peacock@fosterfarms.com

Looks like the timing may be too late but I just passed a Wells Fargo and saw that they're a sponsor of Soldiers to Summits, a group that apparently helps disabled vets climb mountains. They're doing a Whitney summit in September. Web site link is below, their contact info is at the bottom of the page.
http://www.s2s2014.org

Thanks to all who read my post and especially those that offered to help with carrying the flag or making suggestions on how I could accomplish this goal.

Mission Accomplished!! My flag was flown from the peak of Mt Whitney yesterday, thanks to a local San Diego man named George and his buddies.

It's nice to personally experience what people are willing to do for one another

The hiking community is a unique cadre of wonderful and outstanding individuals.

Camaraderie...

Bravo Zulu to George and his buddies.