Woman gets flag from ship where her late husband served

A Cape Girardeau woman's wish came true during a special ceremony Saturday when she received a flag that flew on her late husband's ship.

Nancy Patterson's husband, James, died in 2011 of a heart attack, and health issues prevented her from attending the funeral. The disappointment of not attending that service, her daughter Shelly Evans said, weighed heavily on her.

But with the help of the Wish of a Lifetime Foundation, Evans was able to obtain a flag that flew on the USS Ranger aircraft carrier James served on from 1960 to 1963.

Charles Segrest, a Navy and Air Force veteran, conducted the ceremony surrounded by the Patriot Guard Riders, a veterans' association that provided the family's motorcade from Cape Girardeau to Brookside War Memorial in Jackson.

"You bring a spirit to a ship," Segrest said, "and James brought his spirit to the USS Ranger."

Segrest served on the same ship years later, although he did not know Patterson personally. He thanked Patterson and said while James was the one overseas, working the elevator systems on the aircraft carrier as the Vietnam War began, families such as Patterson's are a crucial part of the effort.

"We swore an allegiance to our ship and to our shipmates," he said. "But if it weren't for the family members, we wouldn't have been able to make it."

Those in attendance at the Saturday ceremony saluted during the playing of taps before Segrest presented Patterson the flag.

"Ms. Patterson," Segrest said, handing over the flag, "on behalf of a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a token of appreciation."

He also gave her a medal presented to soldiers who served during the Vietnam War and a photo of the USS Ranger.

Patterson said the gesture meant the world to her.

"My husband was very proud to be in the service," she said.

After the service, each of the Patriot Guard Riders thanked Patterson for her husband's service.

Evans' husband, Mike, said both James and Nancy Patterson deserved such a tribute.

"He was the best of the best," Evans said. "He was a good dad. You couldn't ask for a better person."

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627

Pertinent address:

Brookside Park, Jackson, Mo.