An American flag flown in Afghanistan on Sept. 11, 2003, was given to Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco by the wife of a soldier stationed overseas.

Ames resident Maj. Rickey L. Ely sent the American flag to his wife, Joelle Ely. She gave the flag to Tedesco to display in his office.

“I feel very appreciative and [a sense of] sentimentality because it is an Ames citizen fighting for our country,” Tedesco said.

In addition to sending the flag home, Maj. Ely also included a certificate.

The certificate states, “Let it be known that this United States flag was flown in the face of the enemy, and bears witness to the destruction, capture, detention and interrogation of terrorist forces threatening the freedom of the United States of America and the World.”

Joelle said she felt presenting the flag to Mayor Tedesco on her husband’s behalf was particularly significant because Maj. Ely is from the Ames area.

“I think it was appropriate because he grew up in Ames and went to Iowa State,” she said.

Joelle said the flag was flown over Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan for nine minutes and eleven seconds on Sept. 11.

“I think it’s very nice that he did this. He’s a very patriotic person and takes a lot of pride in his country,” she said.

Clare Bills, public relations officer for Ames, said she appreciates the kindness Maj. Ely extended to the Ames community.

“We feel honored to have him think of us when he was so far from home,” Bills said. “He felt it would honor the United States and be a connection to his hometown.”

Joelle said her husband is serving with the 1st Battalion, 109th Aviation Regiment. He is currently stationed at Bagram Airfield and is expected to come home in July or August of 2004.

The flag is displayed in the mayor’s office on the second floor of City Hall, 515 Clark Ave. Tedesco said anyone wishing to view the flag may stop by between the hours of 8 a.m.—5 p.m.

“When he returns, [Maj. Ely] will present [the flag] to the city and it will hang on a flagpole outside City Hall,” Tedesco said.