Most Wanted for Questioning: A brazen little woodland creature that sleeps in a glorious red, white and blue nest.
Officials said the recent disappearance of more than three dozen American flags at the High Street Cemetery in Hampton could be the work of squirrels.
“Several years back we had the same situation and ... it was the squirrels,” said Cemetery Trustee Richard Bateman, who is also a selectman.
Bateman recalls the community back then — just as they are now — were up in arms over the thought of someone desecrating the graves of veterans by removing flags.
“We had police out there with night goggles looking for the culprit,” Bateman recalled.
It turns out back then, Bateman said, the squirrels were taking the flags and using them for their nests.
“It’s true,” Bateman said. “Strange as it may seem. Strange as it may sound. It became obvious they were responsible later in the year as the leaves came off and the winter winds started up. There were shreds of red, white and blue on the ground.”
Bateman said squirrels stealing veteran flags has been a problem in cemeteries across the country. Whether squirrels are responsible for the thefts in Hampton is yet to be determined.
American Legion Post 35 Commander Ralph Fatello said it’s hard to imagine squirrels are taking flags. The post reported the thefts to police last week.
“I don’t think it’s squirrels,” Fatello said. “But, if it’s squirrels, we are going to prosecute them and I’m going to make an example out of them.”
Fatello said the thefts have been troubling, particularly to veterans in the community.
“It’s glaringly obvious that someone is taking them,” Fatello said. “We replaced some of the flags, and now those are missing.”
Every Memorial Day, volunteers place the flags next to the graves of nearly 1,000 veterans buried at the High Street Cemetery.
“I just don’t see what squirrels would do with that many flags,” Fatello said. “Maybe they are making a shrine. Maybe they are patriotic. Rocky the Flying Squirrel was a patriotic squirrel.”
Fatello previously said if the culprit or culprits are caught, he would like to teach them about the impact of what they have done.
“If they are squirrels, I don’t know how I’m going to teach a history lesson to squirrels, but I would be willing to sit them down and try to talk to them,” Fatello said.
Fatello said police agreed to keep an eye on the cemetery in case the thefts are not the work of woodland creatures. Bateman said if it’s squirrels, there is something that can be done about it.
“A company came out with a flag that has chemically treated fibers to make them distasteful for squirrels,” Bateman said. “But like anything else, it also makes the flag more expensive.”
Meanwhile, volunteers have come forward to replace the missing flags in time for Veterans Day.
“Every single veteran should and will have their grave marked with an American flag,” Bateman said. “It’s what they stood for and fought for.”
Must be red squirrels…
