WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — Nearly two months after her American flag was stolen, a central Florida woman is still hoping for the return of the cherished banner that belonged to her deceased granddaughter.
Arvine Walker had proudly flown the flag outside her Winter Haven home since January 2011, when Sgt. Amanda Older-Downing died from a rare form of cancer.
The flag was stolen on June 18 while Walker was midway through a 40-minute phone call with her daughter.
The News Chief (http://bit.ly/1vDbFHq) reports that Older-Downing enlisted in 2005 and spent 15 months in Iraq.
A Polk County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said stealing a symbol of honor was an "outrage". She said the theft was never formally reported, which makes it harder for detectives to find the flag.
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Information from: News Chief (Winter Haven, Fla.), http://www.polkonline.com
