Military campaign streamers found in Petaluma after Veterans Day

The Petaluma Police Department is looking for the owner of a pile of military campaign streamers left behind after the city’s Veterans Day parade.

The streamers, each a representation of campaigns fought during wartime and meant to hang from a unit flag, were turned in to the department by a good Samaritan after they were found at Walnut Park, where the parade began.

Steve Kemmerle, who organizes the parade, said no one had reported any missing streamers. Bryan Aubin, commander of Sonoma’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1943, hasn’t heard of any missing streamers either.

But it’s important, he said, that they get back to their rightful owner.

Among the streamers are ones from the Afghanistan campaign, the Vietnam campaign, and one that represents the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross - an award given out by the former Republic of Vietnam, in recognition of military personnel or units that performed heroic acts.

Petaluma Police Sgt. Paul Gilman, who served in the Marine Corps from 1993 to 1997, stressed their significance.

“They’re almost like the history of the unit,” he said.

“It’s just one of those things where they belong in one place, and it’s with the unit on top of their flag. It’s sad to see a unit flag without them, just like it’s kind of sad to see them without a unit flag. They belong together. ... If you’re carrying that flag, you’re standing on the shoulders of giants.”

The streamers are being kept at the Petaluma Police Department until their rightful owner claims them.

Anyone with information can contact Petaluma Police Department at 707-778-4372.

You can reach Staff Writer Christi Warren at 707-521-5205 or christi.warren@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @SeaWarren.