BEDFORD, Texas — It's déjà vu all over again for a retired Air Force brigadier general who has had his American flag stolen nine different times, according to MyFOXDFW.com.

Last Friday night was the latest incident in which thieves swiped 87-year-old Archie Mayes' flag, along with the pole it was hoisted on.

But they didn't stop there: They broke a window in Mayes' workshop. Nothing was taken.

"I do not know if somebody does not like my flag, or they know I'm military and resent that, or if they are just plain mean," said the three-war veteran.

Mayes captured images of the cold-hearted bandits on video camera, which he set up in October, and has turned the tapes over to police in Bedford. An investigation is under way.

So far, no suspects have been nabbed. Mayes believes the same person or people are responsible for all nine flag thefts.

“If you really want to know how I feel … If I had a shotgun with buck shot in it, I’d have shot him in the butt,” Mayes said. “And I wouldn’t have any hesitation.”

could you blame him? someone did the same to mine a year ago... but they threw it on the ground after the cut it to pieces... glad to know we protect people like this.

He needs to wrap electric fence wire around the post. Oh no. He's probably get sued by the thief.

He needs a good yard dog to savage their little butts is what he needs. One he can rent from a security firm, tie to the flagpole and will be real quiet until the idiot touches it, then tear them a new one. After the deed, he calls the firm, they collect the dog, and leave the bleeder.

quote:

Originally posted by 031153:
He needs to wrap electric fence wire around the post. Oh no. He's probably get sued by the thief.

you're right but it would satisfy me to see a POS get cooked with a 10K charge...

Even a little wire can give you a jolt.I used to be a bee inspector and while inspecting a hive I noticed everytime I bent over to look in the hive a bee stung me on the butt. After about four stings I realized I was hitting a electric fence wire with my butt. And even through the bee suit and my clothes it hurt.
Getting hold of one of those with a bare hand would get the thiefs attention.

Screw it I think he should just shoot them. Maybe after having buck shot picked out of your a** with a tweezers you would think twice before you jacked someones stuff.

Just wait in the bushes. or on the roof. I remember my dad telling me stories of salt shot that farmers used to use. (if you ever got hit by it, more likely then not, you're old )

quote:

Originally posted by _SemperGumby_:
Just wait in the bushes. or on the roof. I remember my dad telling me stories of salt shot that farmers used to use. (if you ever got hit by it, more likely then not, you're old )

Rock salt up the afterburner! I'd give 'em the full magazine. Need any help General, I just live about 60 miles north of ya, and would enjoy the pleasure of lightin up these low life scumbags.

"Semper Fi"

quote:

Originally posted by TopBaxter:

quote:

Originally posted by _SemperGumby_:
Just wait in the bushes. or on the roof. I remember my dad telling me stories of salt shot that farmers used to use. (if you ever got hit by it, more likely then not, you're old )

Rock salt up the afterburner! I'd give 'em the full magazine. Need any help General, I just live about 60 miles north of ya, and would enjoy the pleasure of lightin up these low life scumbags.

"Semper Fi"

Wish I had the General's info, My sis lives in Ft. Worth, and I have about 95 hours of vacation on the books at my civi job, or I think i could find a training seminar down in that area that would occupy my days and leave my nights wide open for action...Not too far of a drive from Oklahoma, infact, it would give me grrrreat pleasure to show my apprectiation to the General...I am sure he and my late grandfather Lt. Col., shared the same blood....

Straight from today's Daily Roundup of the Navy times....

Texan vows to keep flag flying despite thefts

By Seamus O’Connor - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 4, 2008 16:38:22 EST

A retired general living in Bedford, Texas, has been victimized by unknown perpetrators who have repeatedly stolen the American flag flying outside the general’s home.

Brig. Gen. Archie Mayes’ flag has been stolen, taken down and had its pole snapped nine times since last February. Sometimes the flag is found down the street or left in a neighborhood pickup truck’s bed; most recently, the flag and its metal pole were shoved through a window of Mayes’ home workshop.

Mayes, whose story was first reported by Fox News, put a security camera near the flag in October and caught some images of the bandits. The vandals’ faces are never seen, but the tapes show a woman and man, both in their teens or early 20s , according to Bedford Police Department spokesman Lt. Kirk Roberts.

“We have not identified any suspects off that video,” Roberts told Air Force Times.

Mayes, who served in World War II and Vietnam, has no idea who is behind the crimes, or why.

“Maybe somebody knows I’m retired military and they don’t like that ... maybe somebody doesn’t like the American flag,” he told Air Force Times. “But they’re very persistent, and they’re mean as heck about it.”

Mayes remains determined to keep the flag flying.

“I served 35 years in the military under that flag, and I’m going to fly it if I wanna fly it, and they ain’t gonna stop me,” he said.

And he’s not alone.

Local and national TV news reports have brought floods of support. On Saturday, about 200 members of the Patriot Riders came to Mayes’ residence to show support, planting flags all over the yard.

“They put on the damndest show a Saturday ever seen,” Mayes said.

The riders also promised to install a 25-foot, ground-lighted, key-locked flagpole in Mayes’ yard to prevent future thefts, Mayes said.