An empty pole is left where an American flag has been flying since 9-11, until Saturday morning. | Randy Garrison

Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

During the early morning hours of Sat., Nov. 28, someone or several someone’s decided to make the rounds through neighborhoods in Hartselle and remove U.S. flags that were flying on homes. Flags were taken from three homes on Sherrill Street, where two Marine Corps flags were taken as well. Flags also were taken from at least two homes on Haig St. and also from several homes on Hickory St. as well.

The flags were either hanging on poles attached to the houses or on nearby posts when they were taken Saturday morning. No other thefts at the homes have been reported.

A response on Facebook to the flag thefts also mentioned that traffic cones had been placed across Sparkman St. near Hartselle Junior High around 1:15 a.m. on the same morning. One of the victims mentioned his flags were still on his home around 1:00 a.m.

Hartselle Police Investigator Tanya Burgess mentioned that only two reports of the flag thefts have been reported to Hartselle Police Department, with both of these from Sherrill St. residents.

The most likely culprits would be young people out riding around in the early morning hours with the crime areas in close proximity to each other.

One of the homeowners also had checked several dumpsters around the school and in the vicinity of the neighborhoods as well as a couple of thrift stores looking for the flags, without any success.

One of the Marine Corps flags that were stolen belonged to a marine who had kept the flag for more than 15 years.

Many who fly the U.S Flag and other flags on their homes do so to show their support and love for our country. Perhaps those who decided it would be fun to take this symbol of our freedom could stand to lose a few of their own freedoms.