Patriotism has always been an important part of the Petaluma Rotary Club. We start every meeting with a pledge to the flag followed by a patriotic song. But when Joanne Ferris took over as Club President in July 2011 the U.S. flag that graced our dais mysteriously disappeared.
President Joanne was forced to improvise with borrowed flags. At first the loaner was very small. Later, a flag was lent by St. Vincent's High School. Then Rick Mossi announced that Exchange Bank would provide a dignified, full-sized flag. But it still wasn't our Rotary flag!
Then, on October 13, President Joanne received this photo showing the flag in front of the Jay Palm Saddle Shop. Jay subsequently denied any knowledge of the flag ever visiting his establishment. Rumored co-conspirator Babe Amaral also denied any knowlege.
Later that month another photo anonymously arrived. It showed the Rotary flag in front of V. Dolan Trucking. When questioned, Tom Brandal predictably proclaimed that he didn't know anything about the flag.
On November 2 a flag-draped Rotarian showed up at the Occupy Petaluma demonstration. Although that's not the Club flag, we suspect that this must be a clue to the culprit — or to the flag's whereabouts.
Here it is again! This photo, showing the flag in front of Rancho Veal, arrived on November 9. Does Babe Amaral know more than he is letting on?
On November 18 this photo arrived. The flag is now in front of Sonoma National Bank. Maybe some jealousy is involved as Exchange Bank provided a loaner for our wayward flag.
Did Joanne find the flag? Here she is at the Crab Feed and Super Raffle on February 17. Could that be the missing flag?
The flag was still missing at our March 8, 2012 meeting. Where the flag usually stood was a large shape, draped in blue. Who or what was hiding there?
Later, during the meeting, President Joanne Ferris used a routine fining event (about a Saint Mary’s basketball victory) to rip off the shroud and reveal the real Saint Mary — proclaiming an Eleventh Commandment.
The President then focused her attention on Babe Amaral, long a suspect in the missing flag caper. After some evasive denials from Babe, Joanne directed everyone out into the parking lot.
Police Chief Danny Fish was on hand and Mike Baddeley provided legal counsel to the accused.
Still protesting his innocence, Babe consented to a search of his car. And look what was found in the trunk!
The Chief read Babe his Miranda rights, slapped the cuffs on him, and the crowd smiled, elated that their beloved flag had returned.
Now freed on his own recognizance, Babe carried the flag back into Mister McGoo's. Was the flag caper really over? If it's not, we'll detail it on this page.
Well, the gold fringe on the flag was a dead giveaway that the flag was an imposter. Time was running out. Finally, on the last day of the Club year, President Joanne turned to lead the Debunking pledge of allegiance and — Wow! — there were two flags on the stage. Our wayward flag had returned. Still to be answered: Who did it?