Disgusted and outraged is how a Gold Star family is feeling after their flags for their fallen Marine were stolen from their front yard. It happened on Saturday at their New Braunfels home. However, the community is rallying behind the family.
Penny Farias was coming home from work and a graduation party when she noticed something was wrong. She said the two flags on their flagpole were stolen.
“Don’t steal people’s flags,” she said.
It was the U.S. plus the Honor and Remember flags that were stolen.
“You can tell it is a memorial,” she said. “I don’t know why somebody would look at that and not know and take a flag, especially like that.”
Penny and her husband Felix lost their son in 2011. He was killed in Afghanistan.
“John was funny and loved to be the center of attention I think,” Penny said. “He liked to joke around. He was a very funny little kid.”
The memorial isn’t just for their beloved Marine. They said it for all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We make sure we recognize all fallen,” she said. “I mean, the fallen for us is a very big deal.”
Several people in the community, like their neighbors, have stepped up to help. Greg Butrico with Zoeller Funeral Home brought over two flags for the couple. It is the same funeral home that took care of John’s services.
“They have been an inspiration to us as well,” he said. "They lift us up and keep us grounded in what we have to do. It truly is an honor to serve them.”
“All we can say is say 'thank you everybody' for your support,” Penny said.
Since the theft, the family has received about five flags, and people have donated other items for their memorial to show support. The family has filed a police report and has asked that whoever took the flags to just return them.