TOWN HALL FLAG BURNED BY VANDALS!!! MY HOME TOWN!!!

ctnow.com ^ | March 28, 2003 | associated press report

[RaceBannon]

Veteran's widow ensures flag flies over town March 28, 2003 Associated Press WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. -- When Joan Hartwig heard Town Hall's flag was burned in an apparent act of vandalism, she knew her husband would have wanted her to donate his Stars and Stripes. Hartwig's husband, Al, an Air National Guardsman for 40 years, died in 1991. After his death, she lent his flag to her church, but it was too big. But the flag is just right for Town Hall. She gave it to First Selectman Edward Ferrari on Thursday. "I don't think I did anything special, but it came from the heart," Hartwig said. The flag flying at Windsor Locks Town Hall was torched this week, and police are investigating it as a case of vandalism. On her way home Thursday, she stopped by Town Hall and handed her husband's neatly folded flag to Ferrari. Ferrari was in the middle of an interview with WFSB-TV, telling a reporter how he had been nauseated by the vandal's disrespect, when Hartwig approached and handed him the flag. "The flag that had been destroyed was 6 by 10," she said. "And it's just a coincidence that my husband's flag was at least that size." She said Al would have been proud to have his flag flown over Town Hall.

[RaceBannon]

http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/nc/hc-wlkflag0328.artmar28,0,3419513.story?coll=hc%2Dheadlines%2Dnc

Precious Flags Offered As Replacements March 28, 2003 By PAUL MARKS, Courant Staff Writer

WINDSOR LOCKS -- The burning of an American flag that flew over town hall angered many, but also brought two donations of new flags by patriotic residents.

First Selectman Edward Ferrari said he is still steamed up over the vandal or vandals who burned a hole in the blue field of 50 stars on the nylon flag, then ran it back up the flagpole. The damage apparently was done sometime Monday night or early Tuesday, police said.

Click on link for ther rest of the article

[Freedom4US]

This problem must be a "talking point" with the radicals, it seems to be on the upswing and has happened several times around here, stolen flags in particular. Somebody needs to keep track of this. I've often thought about putting on some camo and laying in wait for these degenerates. Somebody needs to.

[RaceBannon]

I was stunned. The PEACE NAZIS burned the Town Hall Flag of my HOME TOWN!!!

What made me proud, is I know the family that donated the flag. I did not know my friend's father died, but I will try to contact him.

His Dad was a Proud Air Guard Vet, we spoke many times when I got out of the Marines, and he gave me a few personal items then from the guard, personalpics of specs of the A-10 from the Flying Yankees!

[RaceBannon]

103rd Fighter Wing [103rd FW]
Units
118th FS "Flying Yankees" (A-10/OA-10)
Base
Bradley ANGB, CT
Official Homepage
103rd Fighter Wing


The 103rd Fighter Wing is a combat-ready unit that is comprised of one A-10 fighter squadron and several support groups which manage flight operations, maintenance, personnel, unit funds, equipment, facilities and other resources; ensure timely personnel and administrative actions; and provide other support activities and programs for all wing members. The wing's primary mission is conventional air-to-ground operations to destroy enemy vehicles or positions and to provide close air support for US/Allied ground operations.

The Connecticut Air National Guard began with the activation of the 43rd Aero Squadron, which participated in combat operations in France during W.W.I. Later, the National Defense Act of 1921 provided for a number of National Guard Aviation Squadrons and the 43rd Aero Squadron was redesignated as the 43rd Division Air Service Squadron. Before Brainerd Field in Hartford was completed in 1923, the squadron was based in Rhode Island. When construction was complete, the unit was reorganized as the 118th Observation Squadron and its first aircraft was the Curtis JN-4 "Jenny".

During WW II, the 118th was activated and flew anti-submarine missions along the east coast. Later, in 1943, the unit transitioned to combat aircraft (P-49, P-39, A-20, B-25, and finally, the P-51) and was redesignated as the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. In 1944, the 118th was reassigned to the China-Burma-India theater of operations as part of the 23rd Fighter Group, the "Flying Tigers." The unit participated in security patrol, close air support, and ground attack missions as part of the 23rd Fighter Group. Following the conclusion of the war, the 118th was officially disbanded.

After the war, the Air National Guard was created and air units were allocated to states as determined by local defense requirements. Connecticut was allocated a fighter group, which consisted of one tactical unit and three supporting units.

During the Korean War, almost all of the state's aircrews were assigned to combat duties overseas while the wing was redesignated as the 103rd Fighter Interception Wing and assigned to the Air Defense Command.

From 1956 to 1971, members of the Connecticut Air Guard stood 24-hour alert in the F-102 Delta Daggers. In 1971, the 103rd was assigned to the newly redesignated Tactical Air Command.

From 1971 - 1979, the 103rd flew the F-100 Super Sabres and its mission was close air support. In 1979, the unit was assigned the new A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, designed specifically for close air support and ground attack missions. In 1991 the wing began an aggressive conversion to the F-16C, however in 1993 that conversion was cancelled. As a result, the wing still flies the the A-10 and OA-10 aircraft.

Elements of the 103rd Fighter Wing have deployed to augment combat operations during Deny Flight and Precise Endeavor. In August 1996, the 103rd FW deployed to Aviano AFB, Italy to assume the primary close air support mission of international forces in Bosnia. The unit is also tasked to provide assistance during statewide emergencies and disasters when called upon by the Governor's office.

The 103rd Fighter Wing is located at the Bradley Air National Guard Base, located approximately 20 miles north of Hartford in northern Connecticut. The base is home to the 1000 personnel and equipment that make up the 103rd Fighter Wing, which was recently awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award following a highly successful Operational Readiness Inspection in the fall of 1999.

[RonF]

I have seen it done that a flag associated with a particular person or ship has the name of that person or ship indelibly marked on the backing strip sewn onto the flag that allows it to be attached to the lanyard. Especially a veteran's burial flag, if the flag is used instead of being stored away. Then, when the flag wears out and is burned, the ceremony includes a brief discussion of the person/ship's history, as well as that of the flag.

[EternalVigilance]

Wherever they deface or steal one flag, we should place a hundred of them.

[LibKill]

AAARRRRGH!

These 'peace' punks are criminals.

[RaceBannon]

[Cindy]

"ARE THEY FOR US OR AGAINST US?" (Updated Daily - Click Here.)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[sport]

Cindy, they are definately against us.

They are criminals and should be dealt with as such.

The politicans actively encourage them.

If the politicans would honor their responsibility to protect the public these incidents would not occur.

[SAMWolf]

Bump

[Mr_Magoo]

[Kaytea3]

Sign me up! Where can I get mine?

[eternity]

Getting ugly out there.

[LisaFab]

Disgraceful.

[chellis]

I was outraged to hear about the NJ town that outlawed yellow ribbons on public property and I thought, gee, that would never happen here in CT. Now this!! Please let us know when they find the pipsqueaks who committed this unpatriotic act. And when they are caught, I hope they pay a high price.

[Dubya]

Thanks for the ping. How sad anyone would do that to our flag.