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Jun 30, 2009 8:39 pm US/Central
American Flags Burned In Dallas Neighborhood
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
Somebody is stirring up anger among patriotic North Texans, on the week that Americans celebrate their independence. A flag burning spree in a Dallas neighborhood near Preston Road and Spring Valley Road has homeowners upset and police conducting an investigation.
There are charred flag poles in front of two townhomes in the neighborhood. Ed Jordan is a 70-year-old resident and former marine. He just raised his flag two days ago in honor of Independence Day. But, he came home on Monday to find the flag burned to ashes.
Jordan said that he has always flown his flags before patriotic holidays. "I think the least we can do, when we've got people overseas defending our country, is to support them and give them all the backing we can," Jordan said.
The charred remains of the American independence symbol left Jordan both disturbed and disappointed. "I thought somebody stole my two flags," he said. "Soon as I looked at it and touched it, I could tell it had been burning."
Another flag was burned just a few houses away, while some were left alone. Jordan initially believed that the person who did this was trying to make a political statement. But now, he thinks it was probably just neighborhood vandals.
"I feel sorry for them more than anything," Jordan said, "and that's the part that bothers me the most, is that they would do that."
Whoever is repsonsible did not leave behind any kind of evidence for police to use as clues. Victims are now spreading the word to their neighbors, and asking if anyone saw something suspicious on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, police are investigating the case as criminal mischief. But Jordan believes that burning a U.S. flag is more serious, and should be illegal. "Anytime you destroy property, especially patriotic property, it's just a reprehensible act."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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