The San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders, who are known for guiding caskets and standing guard at funerals of fallen service members and veterans, were recently robbed of dozens of American flags.
While preparing for a funeral procession last week, the group noticed that its storage shed had been broken into. Flags and other equipment had been stolen. The group is now missing 59 flags.
Texas group honoring military members reportedly robbed of dozens of flags. #ProudAmerican https://t.co/oOuaGpR6bL
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 30, 2018
On their website, the group describes itself as having “a strong desire to honor” military members and veterans. The group, when invited, attends funerals and internments and “participates in standing a flag line,” among other duties.
At some point during the week, an unauthorized person “illegally entered the ‘SA PGR Guard Shack’ and removed without our knowledge or permission 59 American flags,” as well as “the tools we use to affix the flags to our poles,” according to a Facebook post.
The group has since filed a report with the San Antonio Police, with the hopes of finding the person or persons responsible for stealing the flags. The group is hoping that the public can help them find the culprit and get their flags back.
The group said it still has 38 flags and some of the necessary equipment, and plans to move forward and “continue our mission and community service for our veterans in spite of the adversity thrust upon us.”
However, the organization will ultimately have to replenish its stockpile of flags, Fox News reported.
“When you take our flags it means we have to stand there without a flag or scramble and get some new ones,” ride captain Peter Johnson said.
Flag captain Alice Wagener said: “If you have any decency and patriotism, please bring them back.”
