Thieves Steal 60 Veteran Flag Holders from Kansas Cemetery

Authorities in a small town in Kansas are baffled after a recent theft of about 60 veteran memorial flag holders from a cemetery. 

Thieves made off with the flag holders, valued at almost $80 a piece, earlier this winter at the Hesston City Cemetery in Hesston, Kansas, about 36 miles northwest of Wichita. 

Donna Detwiler, a local resident, noticed something was odd when she visited the grave of her late father, World War II veteran Irvin Sparks, last November. His memorial marker, signifying that he served his country in the military, had vanished. 

“I stood there and thought, ‘There’s something wrong; there’s something missing,’” Detwiler told KSN.com in Wichita “We’re proud of him, and we liked that on there. And we wanted to see it.”

Detwiler is the last of five sisters who grew up in rural Harvey County, Kansas to still live in the area. She visits her father’s grave every few months to leave flowers and clean the headstone. 

“He was a very hardworking man, and everybody loved him,” Detwiler said. “Of course, I loved him too. I come out here because I love him.”

A Disrespectful Act 

An Army Air Forces veteran, Sparks’s grave had a World War II veteran flag holder. Detwiler found it bizarre that the flag holder was missing and that anyone would steal such a personal item, not just from her father’s grave, but from many others in the cemetery. 

“He served his country … and as you can tell, I get choked up talking about him,” Detwiler said. 

Detwiler reported the theft to the Hesston Police Department, which continues to investigate the thefts. Police are requesting assistance from the public to solve the crime, asking residents to notify the department if they’ve seen or heard anything suspicious. 

The Hesston Veterans Memorial Committee also became involved in solving this mystery following an inspection of the cemetery, finding that more flag holders had been stolen. 

“It’s just very disrespectful,” said Janine Hoheisel from the memorial committee. “They’re here resting; their job is done and that’s just not the way respect is shown.” 

Could Be Sold for Scrap 

Chris Eilert, Hesston police chief, thinks whoever stole the flag holders probably sold them as scrap metal. Specific scrap metals that are clean and well-preserved such as copper, stainless steel, aluminum and brass are currently in high demand, selling for as much as $4 per pound. 

Eilert said anyone who may have seen someone with one of the stolen flag holders should contact the Hesston Police Department at 620-327-2020.  

Priced at about $76 per flag holder, the Veterans Memorial Committee estimated that the total cost for all 60 stolen items is nearly $4,560. The organization told KSN.com that it has inspected scrap and salvage yards in the Hesston area, but has not found any flag holders. 

Community Comes Together

While the community feels anger and sadness over the stolen memorials, the incident has also brought out the good in people. Hesston Parks Foreman Josh Hastings said many residents have expressed interest in helping to resolve the situation in any way they can.  

“There was somebody who stopped by the police station that donated some money to replace them as well,” Hastings said. “People are stepping up and doing the right thing. We would love it if whoever took them would return them. But we’ll see what happens there.” 

If the holders are not returned, Hoheisel said the Hesston Veterans Memorial Committee is committed to replacing them. 

“They did earn that,” she said. “You bet they did.” 

Detwiler looks forward to seeing the flag holder restored, honoring her father’s service. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing that medallion brought back,” Detwiler said. “At least a new one on there.” 

Local organizations have stepped up to help cover the nearly $5,000 cost of replacing the memorials with a goal of each gravesite having a new flag holder before Memorial Day.