Rescue Airman presents Old Glory to Florida Judge just in time for Flag Day

  • Published
  • By By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  When Air Force Reserve pararescueman, Staff Sgt. Brandon Forshaw, was running across enemy territory in Afghanistan to get to an injured Marine who had been shot in the leg, he didn't know that his story would end up in a Florida judicial court.

Just in time for Flag Day June 13, six months after that rescue mission, Col. Robert Ament, 920th Rescue Wing vice commander here, presented a flag to the Honorable Alli Baksh Majeed, judge, 18th Judicial Circuit, Melbourne, Fla., that was flown in his honor aboard the aforementioned rescue mission.

"It's our honor your honor," said Ament who carefully folded the flag with the help of an injured Marine veteran, Mr. Sonny Hartwell, and Mr. Kenneth Dunivant, former neighbors and forever friends of Judge Majeeds.

The flag presentation also came with a special certificate identifying the mission number where Rescue Wing Airmen piloted an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter through enemy territory and landed so Forshaw and his teammate could get to the injured Marine, treat him and evacuate him to the nearest military medical facility while doing so. Ultimately, the Marine survived, and the mission was a success.

"I am touched. I can't tell you how much this means to me to be presented a flag for Flag Day," said the Honorable Majeed, who served as a judge for the past 19 years. "It brings tears to my eyes."

This flag would replace one the judge had previously, which he gave to Hartwell, an injured Marine veteran who served during Viet Nam from 1967 - 1974.

Judge Majeed is known throughout Florida's Space Coast for his impassioned patriotism. He regularly shares patriot inspiration in his court with all present after every session.

"There are millions of people across the world who wish they could wake up under the American flag," said the Judge who came from humble roots. An American of Indian descent, he grew up in Anna Regina, a village on India's Essequibo coast, with rice farming being the main source of living for most families.

Since then, "I've had the opportunity to drink from the cup of freedom, liberty and justice," he said.

Also present were Mrs. Selma Dunivant, Florida state attorneys and court employees.

"I have a very special place for this flag," he said. "I'm going to display it in a shadowbox for all to see, along with the certificate."

The 920th Rescue Wing's mission is combat search and rescue. To learn more about the 920th RQW, follow them on Facebook and Twiiter.