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Aggies receive American flag flown by troops in Iraq
The New Mexico State University Athletics Department was given an American flag that flew over Iraq this summer during Operation Iraqi Freedom in a special ceremony at the Stan Fulton Center July 17.
Anthony, N.M., native Jerry Gonzalez, with the U.S. Army's Bravo Company in the Special Operations Aviation Regiment, presented the flag to NMSU Athletics Director McKinley Boston. Gonzalez is currently stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville, Tenn.
Gonzalez decided to fly the flag after his brother, Victor, e-mailed him about the Aggies' partnership with the 2nd Engineer Battalion at White Sands Missile Range and its commitment to provide tickets to military personnel in the region.
"Since the university is supporting our men and women in uniform, I was honored to fly this flag," Gonzalez said. "We flew this on our helicopters during combat missions supporting the United States Armed Forces and we flew this flag with great pride."
Boston accepted the flag on behalf of NMSU including the president, regents, staff, coaches and student-athletes.
"We are really pleased to receive this," Boston said. "We are very involved with the military and making the military a part of our community. It's a great honor to receive this and we are very proud of what you do to make life better and safer for all those in the States."
Additionally, members of the NMSU ROTC and Aggie Athletics Department attended the ceremony.
Written by Tiffany Franklin.