Memorial Day weekend ended on a frustrating note for Burien residents Ian and Mandy Johnson, who returned to their home only to find their American flag had been stolen…for the third time.
Despite having recently reinforced the display, Johnson said the flag had been ripped directly off its hooks from the pole.
“I don’t know who can have a clear conscience about stealing a flag on Memorial Day weekend,” he said in a video message (included below), adding, “yeah, eff them.”
Determined not to let the theft dampen his patriotism, Johnson quickly repaired the damage using stainless steel eyebolts and carabiners and proudly hoisted a new flag, donated by his mother, whose late parents were both veterans.
“We got a flag again,” he said, smiling as it flew behind him. “Stay tuned, because there’ll be an even bigger and better flag just beyond it.”
This marks the third time their flag display has been vandalized or stolen. According to Johnson, the first flag was stolen from its mount, the second was broken off the fence, and the third – stolen this Memorial Day weekend – was ripped from the pole.
Though the motivation behind the thefts remains unclear, the couple does not believe they are being targeted specifically.
“Perhaps it’s a repeat offender. Perhaps a crime of convenience,” Johnson said. “Maybe someone walks by on their normal route. I don’t know.”
Despite the repeated thefts, the couple remains committed to proudly displaying the flag.
“My wife and I proudly fly the flag because it holds profound meaning for us,” Ian said. “It’s a heartfelt tribute to my four grandparents who served in the armed forces. We’re grateful to live in this beautiful country, blessed with freedoms others can only dream of. It saddens me that we’ve had to replace our flag three times, but each time, our patriotism only grows stronger.”
Johnson also emphasized that they have no political affiliations and don’t post campaign signs in their yard. He also reflected on the meaning of the holiday:
“I still don’t understand why the phrase ‘Happy Memorial Day’ exists. It’s not exactly a happy day. It’s for remembering those no longer with us who lost their lives fighting wherever Uncle Sam sent them.”
“I’ll even play some John Philip Sousa as Old Glory again rises above the Johnson residence,” Johnson added with a smile.
Video
Below is video of the aftermath of the flag theft as recorded by Johnson:
It is quite strange as a repeat occurance and my take is someone thinks you’re supporting a current sitting political party and forgets the flag represents all of us.
While the flag may still mean those things to you, it certainly doesn’t mean that to many of us anymore. It has been commandeered and now stands for hate and bigotry above all else. If you still want to hang the US flag you might put a sign near it that explains you are not a supporter of the current administration.
((Hugs))
You’ve gone to the extreme comparing a national flag that waves over the graves of veterans and was forged from fire during the creation of this country, to a symbol of a single person. Go ahead and renounce your citizenship if a cotton cloth is such a traumatic trigger please.
Wow… The flag will not be redefined by whoever screams the loudest on social media or hijacks it for their own agenda. It represents the ideals and values this country was built on — freedom, opportunity, resilience, unity, and for all the lives that have been sacrificed doing so since the beginning — it does not represent whatever twisted narrative someone decides it to be.
People don’t need to justify their patriotism or slap disclaimers next to the flag to appease someone else’s fragile worldview. If you’re offended by the symbol of our nation that protects your right to complain about it, that’s a *you* problem. Respect goes both ways.
Sounds like Cynthia should also be supportive of anyone who disagrees with the message of any flag, flown by any cause or group to vandalize it. The examples are limitless and could very from Pride, BLM, Seahawks etc. etc. etc.