thedrifter
10-20-07, 04:42 AM
Published: October 19, 2007 10:04 am
DISHONOR
MARINE FLAG DEFACED, PET BADLY BEATEN
By Vanessa Fultz, Democrat Reporter
Eva Smith and her husband, James, returned home from a trip in August anxious to display the U.S. Marine flag they had purchased while away. James had just graduated from specialty training in the U.S. Marine Corps as a motor transportation operator in Fort Leonard Wood, Miss. Earlier this year he completed boot camp and combat training.
The day after they returned to their home in McAlpin, James, a private first class, noticed a stain on the new flag and Eva noticed her dog, Sebastian, was lethargic and refused to eat. On closer examination, Eva discovered someone had smeared grease on the flag. A veterinarian's examination of her dog revealed Sebastian had internal damage to his throat and three broken vertebrae. He was hospitalized for six days and couldn't even pick up his head to eat.
Though appalled, the incident did not slow the Smiths for long. Eva carefully cleaned the flag and kept it flying high.
"It hurt very much when I was washing it down. I didn't even take it down to wash it, I washed it up there," she said.
Eva believes the perpetrator reached over her fence to deface the flag when Sebastian began defending his territory. She believes his internal wounds came after he was hit and kicked.
She said after the ordeal Sebastian could not bark and his weight dropped 15 pounds.
"He barked for the first time yesterday," she said Wednesday.
Eva believes the person who did this not only stomped on her dog but stomped on the efforts of those men and women who put their lives on the line for America.
"In my opinion, whomever stained this flag has defiled the memory of every Marine past, present and future that has stood in the front lines for the freedoms of this country," she said. "Nineteen, 21, 22 year olds are putting their life out there. This individual is stomping on what they are standing for."
Eva, who is originally from Honduras, has a special place in her heart for the Marine Corps. Her cousin Zelman Garcia, a gunnery sergeant in the Marines, will soon complete his fifth tour in Iraq. Her nephew Vidal Vassall, a private first class in the Marines, will soon be deployed to Iraq. James is on assignment in the Mojave Desert and is also scheduled to serve in Iraq.
"With three members of my immediate family right now serving in the Marine Corps, I have earned the right to have that flag up," she said.
She said she will continue to proudly display her flag.
Eva told her story at the Suwannee County Commission a few weeks ago where she got a warm welcome.
"I was kind of teary eyed. I don't think there was too many dry eyes in the place," said Commissioner Ivie Fowler, who served in the U. S. Coast Guard for four years.
"Being a Vietnam solider I can't imagine anyone doing this," said Commissioner Doug Udell. "Hopefully it will bring some peace that there are people who care. We do care. I care."
County commissioners joined forces and bought the Smiths a new flag to replace the one that was defaced. They are also collecting money to set up a reward for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
Commission Chairman Randy Hatch said commissioners passed the hat and taxpayers are not footing the bill for the cause.
"They were all astounded and shocked about what happened and were very compassionate," Eva said of the commission.
Anyone with information regarding this incident may call the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office at 386-362-2222.
Ellie
DISHONOR
MARINE FLAG DEFACED, PET BADLY BEATEN
By Vanessa Fultz, Democrat Reporter
Eva Smith and her husband, James, returned home from a trip in August anxious to display the U.S. Marine flag they had purchased while away. James had just graduated from specialty training in the U.S. Marine Corps as a motor transportation operator in Fort Leonard Wood, Miss. Earlier this year he completed boot camp and combat training.
The day after they returned to their home in McAlpin, James, a private first class, noticed a stain on the new flag and Eva noticed her dog, Sebastian, was lethargic and refused to eat. On closer examination, Eva discovered someone had smeared grease on the flag. A veterinarian's examination of her dog revealed Sebastian had internal damage to his throat and three broken vertebrae. He was hospitalized for six days and couldn't even pick up his head to eat.
Though appalled, the incident did not slow the Smiths for long. Eva carefully cleaned the flag and kept it flying high.
"It hurt very much when I was washing it down. I didn't even take it down to wash it, I washed it up there," she said.
Eva believes the perpetrator reached over her fence to deface the flag when Sebastian began defending his territory. She believes his internal wounds came after he was hit and kicked.
She said after the ordeal Sebastian could not bark and his weight dropped 15 pounds.
"He barked for the first time yesterday," she said Wednesday.
Eva believes the person who did this not only stomped on her dog but stomped on the efforts of those men and women who put their lives on the line for America.
"In my opinion, whomever stained this flag has defiled the memory of every Marine past, present and future that has stood in the front lines for the freedoms of this country," she said. "Nineteen, 21, 22 year olds are putting their life out there. This individual is stomping on what they are standing for."
Eva, who is originally from Honduras, has a special place in her heart for the Marine Corps. Her cousin Zelman Garcia, a gunnery sergeant in the Marines, will soon complete his fifth tour in Iraq. Her nephew Vidal Vassall, a private first class in the Marines, will soon be deployed to Iraq. James is on assignment in the Mojave Desert and is also scheduled to serve in Iraq.
"With three members of my immediate family right now serving in the Marine Corps, I have earned the right to have that flag up," she said.
She said she will continue to proudly display her flag.
Eva told her story at the Suwannee County Commission a few weeks ago where she got a warm welcome.
"I was kind of teary eyed. I don't think there was too many dry eyes in the place," said Commissioner Ivie Fowler, who served in the U. S. Coast Guard for four years.
"Being a Vietnam solider I can't imagine anyone doing this," said Commissioner Doug Udell. "Hopefully it will bring some peace that there are people who care. We do care. I care."
County commissioners joined forces and bought the Smiths a new flag to replace the one that was defaced. They are also collecting money to set up a reward for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
Commission Chairman Randy Hatch said commissioners passed the hat and taxpayers are not footing the bill for the cause.
"They were all astounded and shocked about what happened and were very compassionate," Eva said of the commission.
Anyone with information regarding this incident may call the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office at 386-362-2222.
Ellie