Honor Guard Commander Ralph Belter presents flag to Chuck Carter Photo by Phil Thomae

On November 25, 1943, S/Sgt. John William Ring, Army Air Corps/Air Force, of Virginia boarded a B-24 bomber. He was a gunner, taking part in a bombing mission. Upon take off from Pandaveswar Airbase in India, the plane crashed, killing all aboard.

He was buried at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky and the Amercian flag (48 stars) was presented to his family.

S/Sgt. Ring was the grandfather of Chuck Carter of Port O’Connor. For many years, Chuck’s mother displayed the flag in her Aransas Pass home. But in 1970, Hurricane Celia hit and the flag was lost. It was found later in a field without its display case. Dirty and wrinkled, it was packed away for many years, until it was given to Chuck.

Chuck had the flag cleaned, but did not know how to properly fold it. Mentioning this to Russell Cain, he was surprised to find out that Russell contacted the local Rotary Club, of which he is a member, and arranged to have the flag folded with honors by area Veterans.

On March 21, Rotary Club members; members of American Legion Post 167 and VFW Post 4403, representing all branches of the military; Marc Longoria, representative of Congressman Michael Cloud, and members of the media, gathered for a flag folding ceremony honoring Chuck’s grandfather.

The ceremony was conducted by American Legion Honor Guard Commander Ralph Belter and Chaplain, Reverend John Fisher. The flag was folded by VFW members Jesse Briseno and Fabian Balboa.

Some time later, Russell Cain had a wooden box built for the flag. Chuck was very appreciative for all that was done and now has the flag of S/Sgt John William Ring proudly displayed in his home.