Un-American activity

(Photo by Larry Coonrod)

Members of the American Legion Post 116 in Newport were disheartened to discover on June 28 that someone had stolen the American and POW/MIA flags from the flagstaff at the side of the building. Post Commander Ralph Janes said the theft took place between 3:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. It is the third time in seven years that thieves have stolen the Legion’s flags. Janes said that the disrespect of the nation’s symbol troubles him more than the $20 cost of the flag. “It’s the principal of the thing. It’s disrespectful to the flag, veterans and family members of veterans,” he said. Janes is hopeful whomever took the flag will return it. “If they feel guilty enough about it, I’d appreciate them laying the flags on one of our benches and not just throwing them on the ground,” he said. “If somebody really needs a flag to display, all they got to do is come ask us and we’ll give them one. “

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