Legionnaire Gives New Idaho Sub Crew a Piece of Home

Mon May 27th, 2024

American Legion Magazine, June 2024

By Cameran Richardson

The newly christened submarine USS Idaho has part of its namesake state on board, thanks to Matt Wrobel.

Wrobel, a past department commander and member of American Legion Post 113 in Meridian, Idaho, had a ceremonial bell cast from the brass grommets of 25,000 retired U.S. flags. The flags were flown in Idaho by veterans, American Legion and VFW posts, Scouting units, businesses and residents. "I wanted (the bell) to be made in Idaho and of Idaho," he said.

Wrobel presented the bell to USS Idaho Commander Randall Leslie and Master Chief Travis Skipper at a banquet following the submarine's christening March 16 in Groton, Conn.

"The first thing they did was (conduct) a ceremony to honor all submariners lost through history, and rant the bell," Wrobel said. "It was moving. Several sailors thanked me. They said, 'This truly is a piece of Idaho that's going to travel the world.'"

Wrobel also had 300 keychains made for officers and sailors, from grommets not melted for the bell.

"I spent almost four years working on this, and everybody wanted to be a part of it," said Wrobel, adding that the wood base and bracket were handmade in Idaho by veterans.

Wrobel's first bell was cast in 2015, made from nearly 3,000 flag grommets he'd saved that yielded 22 pounds of brass. He gave the bell to the American Legion Department of Idaho. Since then, Wrobel has collected and retired nearly 100,000 flags and kept the grommets for bells.

"I love our flag," he said, "and I think I've opened some eyes to proper respect and disposal of the flag. It's the greatest and most recognized symbol on the planet. We need to protect that and spread love for our country."