Keeping the flags flying

Lea Dimalanta knows the big impacts of Comcast’s Operation Old Glory flag-replacement program

A few years ago, a fire broke out at an apartment complex near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State. The blaze displaced more than 30 families, many of whom lost all their possessions – and their homes.

The fire also badly damaged an American flag flying near the entrance.

As the community began to rebuild and heal, Lea Dimalanta wanted to help. A military account manager with Comcast’s Pacific Northwest Region, Dimalanta’s first idea was to replace the damaged flag through Comcast’s Operation Old Glory initiative. Started in 2017, the program provides new American flags to schools, firehouses, community centers, homes and businesses across the country, free of charge. The flags are all made in America and supplied by a veteran-owned business. Comcast volunteers, who participate in the program, become Flag Ambassadors and receive training on the proper customs and handling of the America flag.

“I offered to retire the old flag with dignity and replace it with a new one,” said Dimalanta, who first learned about Operation Old Glory at a Comcast conference in 2023. “With the support of VetNet, we conducted a proper retirement ceremony, bidding farewell to the old flag with respect and gratitude for its service. The new flag became a symbol of renewed hope and resilience for the community.”

But Dimalanta also went a step further. She organized a breakfast for residents and neighbors to come together and celebrate not only the new Stars and Stripes, but the rebuilding of the community.

“Being part of a military community near JBLM, the event fostered a sense of unity, healing and shared pride amidst challenging times,” Dimalanta said.

A Comcast employee for more than 10 years, Dimalanta has long had her own personal connection with the American flag. Now a military spouse, she came to America as an immigrant.

“As an immigrant from a third-world country, the American flag symbolizes freedom, bravery and hope,” Dimalanta said. “When I pledged my allegiance, I felt a deep sense of pride – knowing I was joining a nation of heroes and soldiers who fight to preserve that freedom. It reminds me of the courage it takes to start anew and the promise of a better life in the land of the free.”

As of mid 2025, Dimalanta had replaced at least a dozen American flags through Operation Old Glory; the program itself has replaced thousands across the country over the past eight year. She planned to continue refreshing American flags through Operation Old Glory because she’s seen the difference it makes.

“The program has brought a sense of pride and unity to the community,” Dimalanta said. “Recipients feel recognized and valued, fostering stronger connections and a shared sense of identity. It’s inspiring to see how a simple gesture like new flags can uplift spirits and reinforce community bonds.”