Naugatuck Steps Up to Replace Stolen American Flags

A mix of anger, frustration and sadness filled the hearts and minds of many Naugatuck residents when they heard someone stole American flags intended to be placed at the graves of American veterans in the borough.

Those emotions quickly evolved into an overwhelming need to right a wrong and a patriotic duty to honor veterans in the respectful manner they have earned.

It all started on Saturday, Nov. 9, when four boxes filled with a total 576 flags, which cost the Naugatuck Veterans Council $465 to purchase, had been stolen from St. James Cemetery. Members of the Naugatuck VFW Post No. 1946 were spread throughout the burial grounds trying to replace tattered flags with new ones on veterans’ graves when the theft occurred. A suspect has not been located.

Within days of news being spread in the community and on a state and national level, the Veterans Council had received donations of more than $3,000 to replace the stolen flags and keep the flag replacement program running for years to come.

“The Naugatuck community is absolutely fantastic,” said John DeBisschop, Naugatuck Veterans Council chairman. “Mayor (Bob) Mezzo put it well when we were going through our press interviews in the following days: This event was not going to dampen the spirit of what Veterans Day means; it was actually going to strengthen our resolve to continue doing what Naugatuck is famous for, in being the patriotic community that we are. This is a great example of how the community got behind us and supported us in an unexpectedly huge way.”

Donors Thanked at Ceremony

On Friday afternoon, DeBisschop held a small ceremony in front of St. James Cemetery to announce the good news; top donors also officially handed over their donations. Those gifts came from corporate sponsors who donated hundreds and thousands, as well as individuals who donated anywhere from $10 to $500, DeBisschop said. Naugatuck Valley Savings & Loan was the top sponsor: the bank donated $1,000 and much of that came from employees who gave out of pocket.

Bank employees read the news last week and approached president and CEO William C. Calderara with an idea to help. NVS&L was in the midst of wrapping up a months-long program to honor American veterans who live in the area. The program ran from Memorial Day to Veterans Day.

“That’s when our employees heard about this and said they wanted to do something,” Calderara said. “In fact, a lot of the employees have family members who are buried in the cemetery. So as a corporate citizen we were upset about it, and also the individual employees were really affected by it.”

Employees raised the crux of the money, and Calderara was so impressed that he decided to make the donation an even $1,000.

“It’s an overwhelming support from the community and it proves the character of Naugatuck and the Valley,” he said.

Work of Helping Vets is Not Done

John Mitchell, chaplain of the Naugatuck VFW, said he’s been involved with the flag replacement program, which happens twice a year, for the past 13 years. He's never heard of someone stealing a flag in Naugatuck. In fact, he’s never heard of it happening anywhere.

“Everybody respects the symbolism, the respect for the veteran who has served this country and deserves to lie in peace with the flag of his country waving over his grave,” he said. “And it is just astounding that someone could do this.”

As angry as Mitchell was when the flags were stolen, he was equally pleased with the community donations.

“It makes me proud to be an American and proud to be a citizen of Naugatuck,” he said. “I hope that everyone who hears this doesn't feel that the job is done because this job is ongoing. We still have men and women in the service overseas, and we are trying to maintain contact with them and hopefully get them the services they need.”

Top Donors:

• NVS&L - $1,000
• High Rock Shooting Association - $500
• Bill and Mary Donaher of Watertown - $500
• Attorney Danielle Rado - $465
• Northeastern Communications - four replacement boxes of flags ($465 equivalent)
• Other donations total $320