Sgt. Ty Bagwell of the Arkansas National Guard’s 224th SMC, a 2017 Cave City High School graduate, with the American flag that was discovered in storm rubble after the devastating 2o25 tornado in the town. (Image via Jonas Anderson)
A tattered piece of Americana, once buried under the wreckage of a 2025 tornado, has been returned to the public eye as a permanent symbol of local recovery and community strength.
Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson announced the installation of a commemorative display at City Hall last week, featuring an American flag recovered during the aftermath of the storm.
The flag — ripped, caked in mud, and pierced by twigs — was discovered by Sgt. Ty Bagwell of the Arkansas National Guard’s 224th SMC.
The discovery carried a personal connection for the unit; Bagwell is a 2017 graduate of Cave City High School. He found the flag while he and fellow soldiers were digging through rubble and assisting residents in the wake of the disaster.
“In the immediate aftermath of the 2025 tornado in Cave City, there were so many impactful, quiet moments that took place,” Anderson said. “One of those happened between myself and one of our soldiers.”
Recognizing the emotional weight of the artifact, city leaders sought to preserve it as a testament to the town’s endurance. Local resident Mike Smith hand-built a shadow box to house the flag, a project Anderson noted turned out “even better than envisioned.” The memorial was mounted on the walls of City Hall this week with the help of Aaron Hunter and Brian Barnett.
For many, the flag represents more than a recovered object; it serves as a milestone in the city’s long journey toward rebuilding.
“I’m so happy to present this back to the community,” Anderson said. “It’s a vivid reminder of what happened that night, but even more of how we stood back up and are moving forward together.”
Anderson expressed gratitude to the Arkansas National Guard for their presence during the city’s “time of great need” and invited the public to visit City Hall to view the display.
Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson and Mike Smith, who designed the shadow box for the American flag discovered in the tornado rubble. 
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