Flt Lt Gary Lewis.
A PROUD Islander serving on operations with the RAF in Afghanistan will be flying the new Isle of Wight flag at his base, thanks to the County Press.
Island-born Flt Lt Gary Lewis, a junior RAF engineering officer of IX (B) Squadron, wanted the CP to help him contact a company which would sell him the flag.
But the County Press was delighted to donate an Isle of Wight flag to him to fly at his base in Kandahar.
Gary, 38, who served in the Royal Navy for 14 years before he transferred to the RAF, grew up in St Helens and was educated at Ryde High School.
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| CP reporter Jon Moreno with the flag donated by the County Press. |
The married dad-of-three is currently operating the Tornado GR4 jet out of Kandahar. Based at Norfolk, he regularly visits his parents, Barbara and Bilko Dyer, of Upper Green Road, St Helens.
Gary was inspired by a story in the February 12 edition of the CP, about two Island brothers serving in the army in Afghanistan who received an Isle of Wight flag.
"I would like to obtain a flag so I can proudly show my Island connections while out on operations," he said.
"My mother has been sending me out the County Press. I very much look forward to the mail drops so I can read the latest edition. It’s great to keep abreast of what is happening at home and there is always a chance of seeing someone I know in the paper."
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk