WOOSTER, Ohio, June 1 (UPI) -- About 15 American flags, which are part of a Rotary Parade of Flags project in an Ohio town, were burned Tuesday, officials said.
The flags were burned on two streets in Wooster, The (Wooster) Daily Record reported.
Lt. Greg Bolek of the Wooster Police Department said it "appeared (the flags) had been burnt off of the poles."
The community project encourages residents to fly the flag on Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day, the newspaper said.
"The first thing you always see is all the flags," said Jack Clampitt, a resident and Korean War veteran. "I couldn't believe (burning flags) was done in my front yard in Wooster, Ohio."
After the burnings, Robert and Sherry Lay placed a replacement flag on their garage door.
"That flag flew up above his (Robert Lay's) ship in the Persian Gulf when he served in the Navy," Sherry Lay said.
Anyone with information on the burnings may contact Susan Marlar of the Rotary Flag Commission at 330-264-6535, the police department at 330-287-5700.
