Flags stolen on Pearl Harbor Day

NORWAY - Sixty-nine years after an enemy tried to shoot the U.S. Flag down at Pearl Harbor, a thief tore down the flag and stole it from the Veteran's Memorial in front of Guy E. Rowe School.

As well as the American flag, the Maine State Flag, an M.I.A. Banner and the American Legion colors were taken sometime during the night of Tuesday, December 7, after 6 p.m. and Wednesday morning, around 10 a.m., when their absence was noted by American Legion members using the post's hall on Main Street, opposite the memorial.

Post Commander Ron Snow said a reward of $500 is being offered to the first person who gives information to the police that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

"It's a real disgrace that this crime was ever committed, but on the anniversary of 2,300 people dying at Pearl Harbor, it's desecration," Snow said.

Norway Police Chief Robert Federico said the police have no leads, as yet, but he is hoping someone who saw or heard something - anything - will call. There were no reports of similar thefts or vandalism elsewhere.

Snow points out that, after an incident several years ago, the tie-offs, cleats that hold the bottom of the lanyard, were moved from the usual waist-high level on the to higher points on the poles.

"You have to use a ladder to get up to them." said Snow. "The thieves either had one or they shimmied up the poles. They didn't cut the lines, either. They unclipped the flags from them, as if they intend to use them."                                                                                                                                      

The Norway Police can be contacted by calling 743-5303, or the Oxford County Sheriff's Department at 743-9554.