Less than a week after three flags were stolen from American Legion Post 342, thieves have
struck again.Sometime between 3 p.m. Monday
and 9 a.m. Tuesday, the United States, North Carolina and Missing in Action/Prisoner of
War flags were taken from their revered place.
"There is a spotlight directly on the
flags," said Gary Yost, facilities manager for Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post
342.
"It is a disgrace," Yost said.
A number of things have been discussed among the
post's 778 members to prevent this from happening a third time.
But the most important step rests in the hands the U.S. Senate, Yost said.
"The desecration of the flag is not illegal in
this country," said Mickey Drye, commander of Cary Post 76 and a member of the
American Legion Department of N.C. Public Relations Committee.
If the Senate passes the vote it will go to the
states to ratify, Drye said. "Forty-eight states have already sent resolutions saying
they would ratify the law, putting it into effect," Drye added.
The American Legion is involved in the Citizens
Flag Alliance, a coalition of organizations that have come together to make desecration of
the flag illegal.
"Veterans hold their flags very close to their
hearts," Yost said last week when the first set of flags disappeared. And that is why
the post will not put up a third set of flags until a sound resolution is adopted.
The American Legion post is offering a $50 reward
for information leading to a conviction in either incidents.
Call Crimestoppers at 638-5388 to offer any tips. |
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