A gift across miles

An American flag that accompanied Army soldiers on an air combat mission over Baghdad was presented to a local World War II organization. The gift will carry on the tradition of honoring U.S. servicemen.

On a recent trip to Philadelphia, Colleen Commentz-Ciminieri of Alhambra, Calif., presented the flag to The Chapel of Four Chaplains, which is located in the former Navy Yard. The organization gladly accepted the gift, but had no pole from which to fly it. By sheer coincidence, a Florida family who had lost a loved one during World War II agreed to donate funds for a pole a short time after the flag was accepted.

The Chapel of Four Chaplains is dedicated to the memory of four chaplains who lost their lives during World War II aboard the USAT Dorchester, an American ship sunk Feb. 3, 1943, by a German torpedo in the icy waters off Newfoundland. The four chaplains gave up their life jackets so servicemen could survive.

Commentz-Ciminieri’s uncle, Richard Commentz, was among the 668 servicemen who died that day; 238 were rescued.

The flag was given to Commentz-Ciminieri by 1st Sgt. Ron Cabrera, also of Alhambra. The soldier presented it to Commentz-Ciminieri, a newspaper reporter, in appreciation for her articles on him and his Bravo Company War Hawks of the 1/140th.

"The first inclination was I wanted to take it back to the Chapel of Four Chaplains to make the connection between the people who died in World War II — especially on the Dorchester — and the people who died in Iraq. I felt it would be appropriate," Commentz-Ciminieri said.

With chapters throughout the United States, Commentz-Ciminieri decided to give the flag to the Philadelphia chapter because it is the organization’s headquarters.

After Commentz-Ciminieri’s uncle died, her grandparents placed a small stone marker in his honor in their church in Baldwin Park, Calif. When the church was remodeled, the parishioners decided to remove it. Commentz-Ciminieri said her family wanted to find a permanent home for it and, with her aunt doing some research, discovered the Chapel of Four Chaplains organization.

In a low-key ceremony last month, Commentz-Ciminieri presented the flag to chapel Executive Director Lou Forgione. It is a standard flag, 3-by-5 feet, and in good shape, Forgione said.

Accompanying Old Glory was a certificate of authenticity stating it was flown in an air combat mission over Iraq April 21.

"I feel very emotional about it," Forgione said of receiving the flag. "Every time I meet one of the survivors or a family member it gives me more of a sense of belonging. It’s very satisfying to help people who lost so much."