Airmen honored to fold WWI flag

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The flag they folded was more than 50-years-old, was passed through four generations and had 48 stars. Two Barksdale Airmen were given the opportunity of a lifetime. They were given the chance to fold a flag from World War I.

The flag came from the home of Melanie Zimmerman, Air Force Global Strike Command, Commander's Action Group writer and editor. It was the funeral flag of her great-grandfather, Kay Milroy Walker, a WWI veteran who passed away in 1943. It was passed down to her last summer when her grandmother passed away.

"The flag has always held special meaning to me," Zimmerman said. "During my eight years in the Air Force, I participated in flag folding ceremonies for Veteran's Day events and retirements, and have been thoroughly honored to do so. Being a World War I and World War II history buff, my great-grandfather's flag held special meaning to me."

The flag itself only has 48 stars because Alaska and Hawaii didn't become a part of the United States until 1959.

Even though the flag was more than 50-years-old, Senior Airmen Princeton Drake and Luis Peña, Barksdale Honor Guard members, noticed it still felt brand new.

"We fold a lot of flags but none of them mean as much to us as this one did," Drake said. "It felt like we were taking it out of brand new packaging. It was still crisp which allowed us to fold it perfectly. The family should never have to re-fold it again."

Drake and Peña ensured this piece of history received the proper respect, honoring the soldier who lost his life. Walker's family will be able to look at this flag and remember his accomplishments for years to come.

According to Zimmerman, her great-grandfather belonged to the 166th Infantry, 42nd Rainbow Division, 83rd Infantry Brigade. He arrived in France in November 1917 and spent almost consistent contact with the enemy for 174 days.

Walker was awarded the WWI Victory Medal for his participation in major ground conflicts at Aisne-Marne, Champagne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne.

The history of his military accomplishments will travel with that flag forever, Zimmerman said.

"I'm very thankful for the Barksdale Honor Guard," she said. "It means a lot to me that the Airmen involved took such pride in folding it."