Squirrels Blamed For Stealing U.S. Flags

Caretakers of the Oak Hill Cemetery noticed around Memorial Day that about 25 U.S. flags were missing from the graves of military veterans.

But the haphazard pattern of theft and the fact that the wooden dowels remained intact led them to only one theory � the thieves weren't human.

"It's a pretty solid conclusion that critters are stealing our flags", said cemetery foreman Mark Alberts.

Mark says it's been a problem all around the state. Squirrels took flags and used them to line their nests a few years ago in another area, and a groundskeeper at a neighboring cemetery discovered dozens of missing flags in a squirrel's nests.

Alberts also said when crews cut down old trees, they find flag remnants in the hollows.

"We find a lot of flags all shredded up in there. They use them for bedding".

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