The Riverside, California Police Department has requested the public’s help finding the person or persons who vandalized memorial for 13 service members who died in Afghanistan. The memorial was made up of 13 American flags and one Marine Corps flag. The tribute was for those who died in the terror attack at the Kabul airport, including four Marines from Southern California. The vandal cut the flags, leaving portions of the flags missing. Who would do such a thing?

The Riverside Police are asking for help and others in the community have stepped up to honor the 13 fallen service members.

People in the community stepped up to help:

Two people removed the desecrated flags and reportedly handed them over to a local Boy Scout troop. A Facebook post from the Riverside Police Department described the vandalism:

VANDALIZED FLAGS

Recently after the deaths of our 13 United States Service Members killed in Afghanistan, 13 American Flags and 1 Marine Corp flag were placed on the fence to the Ivy Street overpass to the 91 Freeway in Riverside as a memorial. Sometime yesterday, an observant citizen noticed the flags appeared to be damaged and it was reported to the police.
At this point, we don’t have any suspect description but it’s obvious the flags were intentionally damaged. If you have any information as to who vandalized these flags placed on this freeway overpass to honor the 13 Fallen Service Members, please contact our Property Crimes Unit at (951) 353-7955.
We want to thank the group “What is Going on in Riverside County” for bringing this crime to our attention.
With help from two citizens, the flags were carefully removed and will be turned over later today to local Boy Scout Troop 703 for proper retirement.

 

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