Another American flag stolen from Morgan Hill neighborhood
It’s happened again! An American flag posted outside a Morgan Hill neighborhood has been stolen. The neighbors, especially the veterans who’ve spent years maintaining Old Glory, are understandably upset and frustrated.
“I’m so upset about it,” Frank Dardenelli, a World War II veteran said. “I wish I could catch those persons who have taken that American flag that all the vets have fought for over the years. It’s a shame that someone stoops so low to steal it in the middle of the night.”
Frank Dardenelli is reliving the anger all over again. Four weeks ago, someone stole the American flag posted outside of the Jackson Meadows neighborhood in Morgan Hill. Then this week, it happened again.
“Basically we’ve been targeted twice,” Stephen Dunne, a Jackson Meadows resident said, “Probably the same person. The neighborhood is outraged.”
One of those upset neighbors is fellow veteran Mike Parks. He had been caring for the flag after health problems left Frank unable to keep up the routine.
“I put a new one up,” Parks explained, “And I did a pretty good job, put in brackets and everything. So whoever took it, really wanted to take it down.”
They say they aren’t going to let anyone try to take Old Glory away from their neighborhood. A new flag will be erected. It will be attached to a post that will be cemented into the ground. The community is also looking at other security measures. That includes getting help from the Morgan Hill Police Department.
“They’re going to be patrolling the area more,” Dunne said. “Obviously it’s happening at night. They’re going to track it, plus we have a neighborhood watch here in our community as well, so we have more eyes on the situation.”
In the meantime, Dardenelli has this message for whoever is responsible:
“I wish they’d look into their soul and just realize what they are doing is taking the American flag that our community and the country is proud of,” Dardenelli said.
Dunne says nothing will stop his neighborhood’s patriotism.
“We have pride in this flag,” Dunne said. “We fight for this flag. This flag doesn’t run. This flag isn’t going anyplace. You can try all you want, but the flag is going to be here, no matter how many times they attempt to take it down.”
Jackson Meadows neighbors have filed a second police report, and say if the thief or thieves are ever caught, they want to pursue criminal charges.
