As a self-described Army brat, Jim Bouchard has called many parts of the country home. Since leaving the military himself, Bouchard has called the Bonney Lake area home.

Though he presently lives south of the city limits, Bouchard is incoming president of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of Beautify Bonney Lake and Past President of the Bonney Lake Kiwanis, among other things.

“I’ve always associated with Bonney Lake,” he said.

Whether or not the annexation goes through this year, Bouchard and his family will be a permanent part of the history of Bonney Lake.

Recently, he donated to his adopted city a flag flown over Fort Anaconda in Iraq. The flag was given to him by his son James and will be displayed at the city’s new Interim Justice Center when it opens this spring.

“I thought it was appropriate because we had the new Interim Justice Center being built and I want to have it displayed so people realize what it takes to have our freedoms in this country,” he said.

Both of Bouchard’s sons, James and Jason, presently serve in the military. James is a warrant officer in Iraq, serving his second tour of duty. He will be home in May.

Jason was a medevac helicopter pilot in Afghanistan and now serves as a Black Hawk instructor at Fort Rucker in Alabama.

“They both came up through the ranks,” he said.

Bouchard said he is proud of his sons for continuing a family tradition of service that goes through him and back to his father, both of whom served in the U.S. Air Force.

Bouchard said he served during the Vietnam War, but spent his six years of service stateside repairing missile systems.

After Jason sent home the flag, Bouchard said he had it displayed in his office, but realized it would be a better use to display it at the IJC, as a reminder of the sacrifices military members and their family make to protect the freedoms preserved in the justice system.

“That flag actually represents the hardships we have to go through to secure our freedoms,” he said.

Because the justice center provides a dose of freedom, Bouchard said it was the right place for the flag.

Mayor Neil Johnson said he was floored when Bouchard called to offer the flag. Johnson promised to treat the flag as a prized possession and said the gift sets the right tone for the opening of the city’s building.

“We’re just honored,” Johnson said. “What greater honor could a person ask for?”