The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners will be presented with an American flag from the U.S.S. Oriskany at the Thursday, Nov. 2 BCC Meeting, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, located at 221 Palafox Place.
The flag will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners by Pete Peterson, the Commanding Officer of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association local chapter 20-3, to honor those who served on the Oriskany and those who gave their lives while serving and protecting the United States.
The flag will be displayed at the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, providing an opportunity for the public to view the flag and learn more about the U.S.S. Oriskany’s history.
What: Proclamation and presentation of the U.S.S. Oriskany flag
When: Thursday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers (first floor)
Media Contact: cmr@myescambia.com
Additional Information:
The U.S.S. Oriskany – nicknamed the Mighty O – was built shortly after World War II and completed 25 years of service, earning two battle stars for service in the Korean War and five battle stars for service in the Vietnam War.
As a joint effort between U.S. Navy, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Escambia County, the U.S.S. Oriskany was sunk in the Gulf of Mexico on May 17, 2006, off the coast of Pensacola. It is the first naval warship to be intentionally sunk in U.S. coastal waters, and it the largest artificial reef in the world.
Soon after the ship was reefed in 2006, local dive charter boat captain and former Air Force Pararescue Dave Mucci hung the first American flag underwater on the U.S.S. Oriskany to honor those who served and lost their lives on the ship, later adding a P.O.W. flag to honor and remember prisoners of war.
Capt. Mucci took great care to replace the flags as needed over the years, also making sure to follow military protocol to properly retire the flags.
The flags that were retired ended up at a variety of locations, including police departments, government agencies, and with veterans who served on the Oriskany. The flag that is being presented to Escambia County was on the ship between 2016 and 2017.
