American Flags Thief Stole From A 9/11 Firefighter’s Family

An American flags thief who stole from a 9/11 firefighters family apparently did not realize how much it could impact them, but apparently there have been a rash of American flags being stolen during this time frame.

In a related report by The Inquisitr, the American Flag act would require that all purchases by the federal government be from 100 percent Made In USA companies. It’s estimated that around 7.5 million American flags sold in the United States also happen to be foreign made. For example, the United States imported $4 million in American flags in 2013 and 97 percent of these foreign flags were made in China. In addition to American flags, other consumer goods, including all the stars and stripes patriotic paraphernalia, is also made in China.

American flags are also purchased when military members and certain other individuals are killed in action, and the flag is given to surviving family members. Melissa Brengel’s brother Jonathan was a member of the FDNY who died during the 9/11 World Trade Center attack. This particular flag flew over the WTC during recovery efforts and the September 11th Families Association gave the family it in remembrance of their fallen family member.

Earlier this week a thief absconded with the American flag but apparently the flag burglar realized what he had done since he returned it on July 4th. The American flag was even folded properly into a triangle and included a note that said, “I am so sorry. I had no idea.”

Brengel went onto Facebook to explain what this meant to her:

“Good news. It was outside the house when we woke up. The flag means so much to me and my family and we are so happy and grateful that it was returned and we are able to display it again, although this time it will be put in a proper case and displayed in the house.”

Unfortunately, not all the thefts of American flags resulted in a happy ending. Karen Burke Abruzzese’s family was given an American flag flown in Iraq only to find it gone missing:

“We’re quite upset about it. It’s very disturbing. On July Fourth, this is what we find! We live in America, the land of freedom, and I don’t know who would do this. The pole was smashed in half and in the street. And then we noticed a couple other neighbor’s flags were gone. It’s, obviously, I would think, someone who doesn’t like America, doesn’t like the July Fourth patriotic day.”

All in all, six American flags were stolen and the man was even caught on video:

Unfortunately, the thief behind these particular American flags was never caught by police.