Flag Pole Rasied. Mission Accomplished, see pic's! (update page 8!!)

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Flag Pole Rasied. Mission Accomplished, see pic's! (update page 8!!) (Page 1 of 6)

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:25:22 PM EDT

The American flag has been a real hot point in this area the past couple of weeks. Kids flying the American flag were sent home from high school on cinco de mayo and now this.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/top/5_1_WA15_FLAG_S1.htm]

Flag pole cut down
Guard recruiter's flag left in the mud

MARINA SAMOVKSY / Staff Photographer
Army National Guard recruiter Sgt. James Stroh shows the dirt-covered American flag after his flag pole was cut down, causing the Stars and Stripes to fall in the mud.

By Dan Moran
STAFF WRITER

BEACH PARK — Army Sgt. James Stroh said he "had a hard time believing it at first" when his wife called Thursday afternoon to report that someone had cut down his flagpole in broad daylight.

"I told her to call the sheriff and fill out a report, and they came out and said it was cut clean through," said Stroh, who lives on Cedar Avenue near the border of Beach Park and Waukegan.

He added the aluminum pole was 24 feet tall and topped with a three-day-old American flag.

"They left the flag laying in the mud," he said. "The thing that really got me was that it is an

American flag, and they took the time out of their day to cut it down ... To some people, it's just a piece of cloth, but that's not the way I look at it."

The act of vandalism appears to have taken place between 1:30 p.m., when Stroh left home following a lunch break, and around 4 p.m., when his wife noticed the pole was down.

According to Stroh, he has also had mailboxes damaged in the recent past and a neighbor, a retired Army veteran, has also had a U.S. flag stolen from outside his home.

"I don't know if I'm being targeted because I'm in the military (or) that it's the American flag," Stroh said. "The police say it's just a random thing, but I'm taking it personally."

05/15/06

Edited by me-Aimless

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:27:08 PM EDT

[#1]

I hope he finds them and kicks their asses

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:28:53 PM EDT

[#2]

Well I'm sure the little mouth-breathers that did it are awfully damn pround of themselves for sending their "Message".

Way to "Dialog" with a differing opinion

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:29:01 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I hope he finds them and kicks their asses

Worse then that.

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:29:07 PM EDT

[#4]

Didn't they invent motion-activated surveillance cameras for just such occasions?

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:33:23 PM EDT

[#5]

Where is that nosy neighor when you need them?

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:33:28 PM EDT

[#6]

Let's get him a new one.

IM me if interested.

I am in, I got another...Come on guys lets see what we can do. I will head it up.

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:36:55 PM EDT

[#7]

Where did this happen? Im tired i may have missed it...

And why are kids being sent home for a flag? Iv been out of the loop for a few weeks now whats going on here.

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:51:16 PM EDT

[#8]

Punk Ass Kids!! Someone should catch up with them and teach them a thing or two. This kind of crap pisses me off!!

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:57:33 PM EDT

[#9]

Time to put up a new one!

Posted: 5/15/2006 6:59:52 PM EDT

[#10]

time to fix the problem

Posted: 5/15/2006 7:06:03 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Let's get him a new one.

IM me if interested.

I am in, I got another...Come on guys lets see what we can do. I will head it up.

I'm all for it, and IM inbound.

Posted: 5/15/2006 7:16:13 PM EDT

[#12]

this kind of shit irritates me...i can understand them having their political oppositions and all that jazz, but seriously, what the hell? how much time do you have on your hands to go cut down a flagpole?

all politics aside, i hope they get their asses beat just for pulling something so stupid.

Posted: 5/15/2006 7:17:32 PM EDT

[#13]

This guy *IS* getting a new flag pole, and a larger flag. Get on this guys!

Chicago is 5 hours from me. I'll drive my happy ass there myself to help him erect it.

Does anybody know what good flag poles are running (I don't know how tall his old one was)? I'm also thinking about seeing what we can do about getting him a motion activated security camera. Any IL security guys in the house?

GET ON THIS. IM ZitiForBreakfast.

There's no way this guy is getting left with a sawed off flag pole, and a muddy flag.

Posted: 5/15/2006 7:22:38 PM EDT

[#14]

There's some things you just don't mess with, and that is definitely one of them.

Posted: 5/15/2006 7:26:49 PM EDT

[#15]

I will contact these guys and see if they would be open to a discount given the sit

Can someone contact teh Sgt. and see how big is big enough

I also want it steel!

www.flagpolewarehouse.com/commercial_poles.htm

Posted: 5/15/2006 7:30:02 PM EDT

[#16]

I'll take care of it...I will get his contact info in the morning..Just lets see if some more people (4) will step up and help.

We'll hook him up nice.

Posted: 5/15/2006 7:41:23 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Punk Ass Kids!! Someone should catch up with them and teach them a thing or two. This kind of crap pisses me off!!

Why blame kids? Asshattery doesn't have a shelf life.

Posted: 5/15/2006 7:55:21 PM EDT

[#18]

There is only one way to deal with this problem.

Posted: 5/15/2006 9:38:55 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Time to put up a new one!

A new and Bigger one

Posted: 5/15/2006 10:19:33 PM EDT

[#20]

And fill the lower 4 feet full of rebar and concrete.

Posted: 5/15/2006 10:26:34 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
And fill the lower 4 feet full of rebar and concrete.

Would electrifying the flagpole be against any laws?

Posted: 5/15/2006 10:33:13 PM EDT

[#22]

How dare you question their patriotism?

Posted: 5/16/2006 4:28:58 AM EDT

[#23]

This was sent out this Morning:

I will be getting his contact info from another source of Mr. Moran is unable or can not come through in a timely manner:

Dear Mr. Moran,

I represent a few fellow Americans whom I know across the country and we are willing to replace Sgt. Stroh's flag and pole. We are thinking he deserves a stronger, more permanent type of pole and a larger flag. I have some good people committed in taking care of Sgt. Stroh.

Any help you can provide as far as passing along my contact info to him so I can get in touch and get some questions answered so we know what we need to send.

We are not looking for a media pat on the back; it is not our or our intention. Some of us, many whom are Veterans, were touched and angered by this story. We think it is only fitting that we take care of a fellow American and a Patriot.

Thanks for covering the story. I have about 10 people willing to donate time, money and logistics for this. We have a few of us that are close and willing to make the trek there.

Respectfully,

Insert Real Name here and contact info

I got about 10 so far and who ever else wants to help. I think before we go get him a 40' pole and concrete and rebarb and claymores, we need to see what we have to work with

Chris

Posted: 5/16/2006 4:44:37 AM EDT

[#24]

I bet if it was kids they are bragging on their myspace site. Any of you guys/girls got the time do do some searching on it?

Posted: 5/16/2006 4:55:55 AM EDT

[#25]

Yeah right it was kids. Who were cutting class, running around with cordless tools, (no less cordless tools of some quality) and had nothing better to do but cut down a flagpole. I realize this is disgracefull but why is everything blamed on our youth. Its not like we don't have a large faction of shitbags who'd like to hang the meh-ican flag over our capital.

Posted: 5/16/2006 4:56:43 AM EDT

[#26]

Time to Lock and load, and post guard.

Of course, in illinois, they'd lock him up in a second.

Posted: 5/16/2006 5:05:13 AM EDT

[#27]

Thanks for tacking this thread.

I want to hook this guy up!

Lets go ARFCOM!

Chris

Posted: 5/16/2006 5:11:01 AM EDT

[#28]

Come on folks,

So far we only have 10 people willing to do something other than type.

If people put their money where their mouth his the cost per arfcomer would be low

Posted: 5/16/2006 5:29:33 AM EDT

[#29]

I'm in!

So Ziti, are we going to send mo/checks to you to send a lump sum or are we individually gone send checks to this guy's house?

AE

Posted: 5/16/2006 5:35:09 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
I'm in!

So Ziti, are we going to send mo/checks to you to send a lump sum or are we individually gone send checks to this guy's house?

AE

Ziti, Please clarify but this is how I seethis going down:

Ziti is going to contact the good SGT and see what he would like eg we may think a 100' pole would be nifty but the SGT may wan't something that blends in

We are going to take up a collection, Ziti how are we going to do this?

Then hopefully we get a nice steel pole and local arfcomers go and help the SGT install and send a collective FU message to the punks that did this

Posted: 5/16/2006 6:39:18 AM EDT

[#31]

Guys,

I would like all funds, MO, Perso Checks, etc to come to me. I will IM that later to everyone that is in.

I have had contact with 2 NG recruiters in the area and I just got his office number now and I just got done leaving a message that said he will be paged.

I am going to make further calls to some local places to see if they want to get on board and donate the material, flag's etc...If it can not be done with 100% free donations than all monies rcv'd..we'll have to figure that out.

I am pretty resourceful and a great salesman...We'll get it done, one way or another. I got over 100.00 so far from people at my office. And we got a broke PFC here wanting to donate some cash..that alone should motivate.

Please IM me if you already have not and tell me you are in.

ETA: There is no way in my life time pay-pal is going to get a single dime from me ever again...so NO to pay-pal.

PLEASE TURN YOUR IM FUNCTION ON IF YOU HAVE NOT..... (doug)

Posted: 5/16/2006 6:47:24 AM EDT

[#32]

If the good SGT agrees perhaps a temporary mesasage could be placed on the new pole

To the miscreants who desecrated the US Flag
Kiss our Ass

ARFCOM

Posted: 5/16/2006 6:49:38 AM EDT

[#33]

IM Function ON

Posted: 5/16/2006 7:37:47 AM EDT

[#34]

Guys,

I just got off the phone with Sgt. Stroh. What a great American we should all be proud of.

He is a US Navy vet, got out of the Navy spent a few years in civi life working for the NFL Alumni, and felt the calling to get back into service for our country.

In our eyes this was a single act against him and the flag, Sgt. Stroh had some other property near the pole that was untouched. Property that if it were an act against property and not the US Flag would have made for better vandalisim.

He has expressed his thanks so far and he is speechless (which he say's is a rare thing). I told him about the site and he is on his way to take a look. His village will have no issues with a 30' pole with a solid base. He lives about 45 min North of Chicago and I plan on meeting him with my Family and those who want to go and help.

What touched me even more about this is that Sgt. Stroh said this could not have come at a worse time. When I heard this, I thouht at 1st he was talking about financials and I said to myself "no worries, that will be covered..." But then he went on to say one of his close friends was just killed in Support of OIF.

He'll be checking in with us...Be on your best behavior

Posted: 5/16/2006 7:41:23 AM EDT

[#35]

Execlent Job Ziti!

IM me if you need any logistical help

have you got a vendor for the pole yet?

Posted: 5/16/2006 7:44:06 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
Execlent Job Ziti!

IM me if you need any logistical help

have you got a vendor for the pole yet?

Getting there....I have a closing today that just burped on me..I need to tackle that. I know the area he lives in now and I will try and get this stuff done with local (to him) vendors. And I plan on contacting a Marine brother of mine who is in overseas now and see if he can fly a flag for us over Baghdad or Kabul and we'll get that flag back here for the good Sergeant...We'll see.

Posted: 5/16/2006 7:54:31 AM EDT

[#37]

I just approved an account with his name in the e-mail addy. Like an idjit I didn't keep it and I can't remember what it was.

He should be posting shortly though.

Posted: 5/16/2006 8:01:30 AM EDT

[#38]

I want to just come on here and thank each and eveyone of you. I had no idea that this would garner this much attention. It just goes to prove that there are great AMERICANS still here in this great country. I have lost a good friend of mine and like I told Ziti, it was terrible timing. To cut the flag down is bad timing no matter what but to have your flag and a friend cut down in the same week is almost too much. I just cannot say "THANK ALL OF YOU" enough. I'm totally speechless, Thanks again, Sgt James Stroh

Posted: 5/16/2006 8:03:11 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
I want to just come on here and thank each and eveyone of you. I had no idea that this would garner this much attention. It just goes to prove that there are great AMERICANS still here in this great country. I have lost a good friend of mine and like I told Ziti, it was terrible timing. To cut the flag down is bad timing no matter what but to have your flag and a friend cut down in the same week is almost too much. I just cannot say "THANK ALL OF YOU" enough. I'm totally speechless, Thanks again, Sgt James Stroh

Thank You Sarge!

Not only was it an attack on you but all of us that have served and those that love their country

Posted: 5/16/2006 8:10:30 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
I want to just come on here and thank each and eveyone of you. I had no idea that this would garner this much attention. It just goes to prove that there are great AMERICANS still here in this great country. I have lost a good friend of mine and like I told Ziti, it was terrible timing. To cut the flag down is bad timing no matter what but to have your flag and a friend cut down in the same week is almost too much. I just cannot say "THANK ALL OF YOU" enough. I'm totally speechless, Thanks again, Sgt James Stroh

I'm sorry for your loss.

Welcome to the site. We have many, many fine Americans here--it's a good bunch.

Posted: 5/16/2006 8:52:57 AM EDT

[#41]

I'll help with some cash.

Please let me know how to donate.

CMOS

Posted: 5/16/2006 9:01:30 AM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
I want to just come on here and thank each and eveyone of you. I had no idea that this would garner this much attention. It just goes to prove that there are great AMERICANS still here in this great country. I have lost a good friend of mine and like I told Ziti, it was terrible timing. To cut the flag down is bad timing no matter what but to have your flag and a friend cut down in the same week is almost too much. I just cannot say "THANK ALL OF YOU" enough. I'm totally speechless, Thanks again, Sgt James Stroh

No Sgt.,

It is us who should be thanking you for your service to our country. I am sorry about the loss of your friend.

Ziti, count me in. IM inbound.

Kevin

Posted: 5/16/2006 9:15:32 AM EDT

[#43]

I'm in.

Posted: 5/16/2006 9:20:25 AM EDT

[#44]

I could contribute a little coin. Don't have a lot of extra but I can send $20 or so.

Posted: 5/16/2006 9:24:03 AM EDT

[#45]

Thanks for the IM' so far..I am keeping tab's and saving them. I will work up some numbers and get those to you all, both comitted dollars and needed dollars.

Sgt. Stroh is going to email me some pic's of what we have to work with and if there are any by-laws we need to adhear to as well.

Posted: 5/16/2006 9:39:41 AM EDT

[#46]

IM sent.

Posted: 5/16/2006 9:48:46 AM EDT

[#47]

Following people have comitted to help:

Last Updated @ 843am EST 5/27

ZFB
subnetmask
CMOS
ChuckyT
Miracle_Pants
Cavu
Stopper
AeroE
dougman
ATNT
vrwc0915
twckxbzd
AerospaceEngineer
DesertRat66
Chokey
ncoday
Templar223 (Flag)
Thirsty
DK-Prof
JAFO
BigFatDog
KJCA3
hdbint
1shott
Federalist14
Wolfpack
Sned45
Spike69
Out4Trout
2_0f_5
BigFeet
ColtM4
Paratrooper318
Meademac
Hanibal
Mr_Will
JarheadPatriot
SRM
Xanadu
FatCat535
IceDiver
GlockSmack
HK91_Tool
Sweet-Melissa
Zoot_TX
BigDog308
Jarhead22
Hessian-1
RikWriter
babirl
arbob
kikilee
Tango7
firedog51d
kk7sm
B-O-A-T-S
kk7sm
DPeacher
jenn70
KBC
VanekSF1

XDBACKUPGUN
BigBore45
A_Free_Man
CaptianPooby
redfisher
otar
BullDog1967
Ciph
fcat
KosmoC

Non- ARFCOM members

Dan C. Sr. -NC
Dan C. jr -IL
Kim M. -MI
Kevin N. -MI
George G. -WI
Kerry B. -IL
Chris W. -IL
Tex W. -IL.
Karen C. -AZ
Michele A. -NY
Malissa H. -IL
Ken C. -IL