“O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
— Composed by Francis Scott Key, “In Defense of Fort McHenry” in September 1814.
CONNEAUT — Before the fireworks started July 4, vandals unleashed some fury of their own.
The city’s military veterans were outraged last month by the theft of seven flags that once graced a high bridge on the city’s East Side. The vandals ripped down the flags from lamp posts that lined the Route 20 viaduct over Conneaut Creek.
Wednesday morning, members of the American Legion replaced the stolen flags with new flags and installed new poles and brackets as well, said Paul Nelson, adjutant and sergeant-at-arms for American Legion Cowle Post 151.
“We wanted to show we are not going to be intimidated by low-life punks,” Nelson said.
The American flags waving in Wednesday afternoon’s warm summer breeze and bright sunshine brought a smile not only to Legion members’ faces, but also to their hearts, Nelson said.
“It’s a beautiful sight,” he said.
In addition to three American flags, separate banners bearing the insignias of the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, and the POW-MIA logo, were stolen, Nelson said. Hardware and brackets to hang the flags also were missing, he said.
“Now, all of the flags are back,” he said.
People with information regarding the theft or the whereabouts of the flags are asked to contact the Legion post (593-2205) or the police department (593-7440). All information given will remain confidential, Nelson said.
“We still want the flags back,” he said. “The theft was an insult to our veterans and our country.”
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
American Legion post replaces stolen flags, other banners
- Local News
-
-
Sports, academics to come together
SPIRE Institute will expand its educational base and accept international students into its sports performance programs through a partnership with the Andrews Osborne Academy, Ted Meekma, SPIRE management team member, announced Wednesday.
-
Grand Valley sixth grader wins Ashtabula County Spelling Bee
James Elliott, a sixth grader at Grand Valley Middle School, clinched his win of the 29th annual Ashtabula County Area V Spelling Bee by successfully spelling the words “physique” and “daffodil.”
-
Conneaut Chamber lauds top citizen, ‘Champions’
Nicholas Iarocci, Conneaut’s 2011 Citizen of the Year, needed plenty of gulps of water to complete his acceptance speech Tuesday night.
-
Conneaut’s unpaved roads will get priority status in 2012
Secondary roads in Conneaut will get the lion’s share of attention from the Public Works’ Department this year, said City Manager Tim Eggleston.
-
Felony charge filed in robbery
An Ashtabula woman who police said grabbed a woman’s purse inside a Conneaut supermarket late Monday afternoon faces a felony charge in Conneaut Municipal Court, according to reports.
-
Ashtabula County building projects readied for bids
Up to four improvement projects for county-owned buildings are being lined up for bids in the next month.
-
City of Ashtabula looking for new auditor
Six candidates have applied for city auditor, which City Council President J.P. Ducro IV says he hopes to fill by the end of March.
-
Red Cross holding breakfast for ‘Community Heroes’
The Red Cross Community Heroes Breakfast will honor 12 county residents March 3 at the Bernard Vacca Community Center.
-
New film showcases county’s scenic rivers
Ohio’s Scenic Rivers program, which protects stretches of 14 waterways — including three in Ashtabula County — is the focus of a new movie by a Dayton-based independent filmmaker.
-
Students can donate clothing to Goodwill
Many Ashtabula Area City Schools students will find themselves cleaning out their closets this week.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sports, academics to come together
