Just days after the Fourth of July, Fayette County American Legion flags torn down, desecrated
UNIONTOWN, Pa. (KDKA) - Just days after Independence Day, more than two dozen American flags were torn down and desecrated in Fayette County.
The American Legion Post 51 in Uniontown said they're searching for those responsible for tearing down the flags that line Fayette Street to Morgantown Street.
The flags appear to have been cut with a knife or box cutter, showing large slash marks.
"It's a disgrace to our country, to our veterans, that someone would do something like this," said Paul Palya, the commander of the post, who said he served 10 years in the military.
"It strikes home, it hits you in the heart, something that you respect so much, you've served part of your life protecting it, it hurts," he added.
In addition to the 26 damaged flags, 10 are completely missing, with just poles left, Palya said.
"I call it terrorism. At this magnitude, there is no other way to describe it," Palya said. "They ain't gonna win; we are going to find out who did it, [and] we're going to do whatever we can to prosecute. They are going to pay for it," Palya said.
The flags will be burned, and their ashes buried per tradition.
They are asking anyone with a business in the area to check their security footage and contact Uniontown Police with any information.
