The display case holding the American flag has a place of honorat the $265 million Sooper Credit Union branch in Grand Junction, Colo., althoughmembers are quite often surprised when they spot it in thelobby.

“Members notice it right away,” said Judy Moeller, branchmanager. “It's quite an honor for us to have this flag. PersonallyI have great emotions about receiving the flag. My father waskilled in WW11 so no greater honor could I have received then to bepresented with this flag and to hang it in the Grand Junctionoffice.”

According to Dan Dannar of Little Rock, Ark., it was his honorto present the flag to his long-time credit union.

“I've been with them since I was a kid,” Dannar said. “They'vehelped me through a lot of tough times and for that I will alwaysbe grateful.”

Dannar is a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and will be retiring this year.

Dannar recently had his parents present to Sooper CU theAmerican flag that was flown over Afghanistan on Feb. 17, 2010, ona combat mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom by the TigerSharks squadron. The flag has flown more than 10,000 combathours.

“It's my gift to them (Sooper) for sticking by me for 21 years,”Dannar said. “I felt they deserved it.”

Dannar has been a credit union member with Sooper since he was 7years old.

“We were deeply honored to receive this flag from Mr. Dannar. Wecan only imagine the sentimental value this flag must hold for him,so the fact that he chose to present it to Sooper Credit Unionholds very special meaning for our entire organization,” said DanKester, Sooper's president/CEO in Denver.

“Our credit union operates like one big family, and we trulycare about the well-being of our members. We have a personalinvestment in our communities, our members and our employees. Weare grateful to have received this flag, and appreciate momentslike this when we can see the way our work impacts our members,”Kester said.