John Esposito with an American flag outside his home. Photo by Vernon Miles.
Mike Rosenburg had an idea. He lived in a condominium, which doesn’t give him much access to a yard but he did have an exterior garden. Rosenburg, thinking to make use of this space, erected some American flags around independence day. What Rosenburg didn’t know at the time was the new flags made him a target for a series of attacks in the West End where residents have had their American flags destroyed or removed.
“A couple months ago, we had these little American flags in our planters in our front yard,” said Rosenburg. “In one planter, we noticed it was completely burned. What was left was just a little stick. We replaced it, then a couple days later the two in the planter were missing.”
Rosenburg said he thought it was strange, so they bought another pair as well as a surveillance camera. Sure enough, the camera showed grainy footage of someone approaching their home and setting their flags on fire.
But the Rosenburg family isn’t alone. Across the Westridge townhouse community and the surrounding suburban neighborhoods, someone had been going around setting fire to American flags.
Ninety-six-year-old WWII veteran Richard Cohen awoke on July 5 to find his American flag burned in the front yard. Because the flagpole was attached to the house it’s considered arson. According to Alexandria Police, only one of the cases is being investigated as arson. The others are investigated for vandalism or property damage. The attacks that started around July 4 have continued throughout the month, with neighbors saying there were four more flag-related incidents over the last weekend.
Joyce Dexter runs a neighborhood newsletter and included an update about the flag burning incidents. According to Dexter, the neighborhood was originally built in the ‘50s and has a large number of retired residents with a few younger couples scattered around.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Dexter. “People know their neighbors here. This is generally a nice neighborhood. It’s kinda bizarre really. You just have to wonder what would compel someone to do that.”
Captain John Esposito, retired from the Navy on June 1, lives with his family in the nearby Seminary West community. He described the neighborhood as very diverse and tolerant.
“Last week, on Sunday night, we got an email about a number of flag burnings on the eve of July 4th,” said Esposito. “I read that and it really bothered me.”
Esposito reached back out to Dexter, and together they planned their own “flag day” in response. Across the Seminary West neighborhood, several homes were covered with American flags flying from poles or hanging from walls. Esposito’s is the largest: a red white and blue banner that hangs two stories tall. It was a gift to Esposito from his retirement.
“These are the symbols that define the character of America,” said Esposito. “We are a nation of rules and laws. Whoever did this violated laws of trespassing, arson, and vandalism. He’s attempting to undermine the character of our nation, and that can’t stand.”