FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. –
A historic flag from more than 100 years ago returned to Pennsylvania National Guard headquarters here Sept. 29, 2025.
Joseph Reselli, an electrician and lifelong Pennsylvanian who purchased the flag, presented the flag to Maj. Gen. John R. Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn Phillips, command senior enlisted advisor, during a ceremony at the Joint Force Headquarters.
“When I saw it, I knew right away I had to get it out of private hands and back to its rightful owner, the Pennsylvania National Guard,” said Reselli.
The historic flag, made of silk embroidery on a silk background and features the commonwealth coat of arms. It is believed to date from 1920-21, soon after the National Defense Act of 1920 reorganized the U.S. armed forces and formally designated the National Guard, which had previously been known as militias.
“On behalf of the 18,000 Soldiers and Airmen who proudly wear a keystone on their uniform and serve in this Guard, thank you very much,” said Pippy, who presented Reselli and his family with an engraved plaque.
This flag would have flown over the Pennsylvania National Guard's training site at Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, which was used before Fort Indiantown Gap was built in the years preceding World War II. After being decommissioned in the 1940s or 1950s, the flag remained in private hands until Reselli bought and donated it.
“It’s really important for us to not only remember the past, but to honor it and to then dedicate ourselves to living a life worthy of that past,” said Pippy.
The flag will now be maintained by professionals with the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum and will be displayed prominently in the Pennsylvania National Guard headquarters here.