American Flags Ripped Down Day Before Turlock Fourth Of July Parade

A stunning act of vandalism right before the Fourth of July had Turlock [California] residents and workers scrambling to fix American flags.

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Vandals damaged about a dozen flags put up in downtown for Turlock’s big parade, jumping to pull the stars and stripes down with their weight, severely bending the poles.

The flags drooped down nearly to the sidewalk. If we’re talking money, it’s about $500 worthe of damage. But of course, we’re talking about the flag, so it goes deeper than that.

“For just no other reason that we can figure out, other than just for kicks,” said Dana McGarry with the Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association. “There’s just something wrong about it. What kind of people do that? I don’t know.”

Sadly, it’s happened several times before here. In year’s past, someone stole the flags and poles. This time the poles were screwed into place, but even that wasn’t enough.

The display lasted less than 24 hours.

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