The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps received a piece of the flight deck from the senior live aboard coordinator from the USS Lexington as a gift. It took place in Corpus Christi Sept. 20 through 22.

Wylie East ROTC is one of the few to receive this gift.

“They gave us a piece of the flight deck because they were very impressed with our group, their behavior and we also have been attending the USS Lexington for many years,” Colonel Wayne Wilbanks said.

The wooden deck was made in the 40s and then reconstructed in 1955.

“When the deck was built, they realized it wouldn’t last because it was wooden. They still wanted to keep the original deck. So they rebuilt it and then decided to sell pieces of it as well as give away pieces only to select groups as a gift,” Wilbanks said.

The school flag was hung on the ship in place of honor.

“Hanging our flag on the ship was a symbolic gesture that they love having us there and we love going,” junior ROTC cadet Adriana Breuer said.

Although Wylie East’s flag has been hung on the ship, it is not the only one displayed.

“A few other schools and Boy Scouts also have their flags hanging on the ship,” Breuer said.