Moorhead Veteran Reunited With American Flag Thanks to Stranger’s Kindness

A Moorhead veteran has been reunited with his American flag, thanks to the sharp eyes—and kind heart—of a stranger.
Scott Sims, who served 21 years in the military, lost his flag on March 17 when strong weather broke it from the front of his home. After nearly two weeks missing, the flag was found by David Bye, who spotted it lying in the street near 11th Street and 26th Avenue South in Moorhead.
“It had been raining or maybe even snowing, and I saw the flag as clear as day,” Bye said. “There was no way I was just going to leave it there.”
Bye picked up the flag, dried it off, and held onto it—until he happened to see Sims’ story on Valley News Live.
“It was kind of like hearing your winning lottery numbers,” he laughed. “I realized—I’ve got his flag!”
Bye and Sims were reunited shortly after, and Sims says the return means more than words can say.
“It’s just overwhelming,” Sims said. “For someone to stop, pick it up out of the gutter, and bring it back—words can’t explain it.”
The flag, a symbol of Sims’ decades of service, is now proudly flying once again.