Posted on Jul 30, 2017
92-year-old veteran attacked while protecting American flag
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CRIME OF THE DAY
KAUFMAN, Texas -- Police are searching for the suspect who pushed an elderly veteran as he was protecting the American flag outside his home, CBS DFW reports.
World War II veteran Howard Banks, 92, is legally blind, but his memory is sharp. He said that a day before his birthday earlier this month, he heard someone outside his home pulling the American flag down from its pole, so he went outside to investigate.
"I walked out, hanging onto the railing and stepped down. That must've startled them," Banks said.
Banks was determined to protect his flag after someone shredded his previous American flag and ripped up his Marine flag about a year ago.
"They could see me. I couldn't see them," he said. "I turned and looked in the other direction, and about then -- 'wham!' They knocked me down."
The person trying to take the flag down ran off while neighbors rushed in to help the veteran, who was left legally blind by a flare on Iwo Jima, The Associated Press reported.
Banks has several bumps and bruises. He said he also twisted his knee.
"On this forearm, it's kind of sore and rough," he said. "Both of them. I've still got soreness here, but I'm durable. I can take it."
The injuries he suffered won't stop him from his life's mission to honor veterans who sacrifice and serve by displaying his American flag.
"I think we all had that same feeling, that the flag was our identity. We were Americans," said Banks. "The fact that I'm getting older, and the less I can do… at least I can still do that."
Banks said he didn't hear the suspect's voice so he is unsure if the person is a man or woman. In the meantime, his daughter, as well as neighbors and officers, are keeping a close eye on him and his flags.
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TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish COL Mikel J. Burroughs ] SrA Christopher Wright Cynthia Croft SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM
KAUFMAN, Texas -- Police are searching for the suspect who pushed an elderly veteran as he was protecting the American flag outside his home, CBS DFW reports.
World War II veteran Howard Banks, 92, is legally blind, but his memory is sharp. He said that a day before his birthday earlier this month, he heard someone outside his home pulling the American flag down from its pole, so he went outside to investigate.
"I walked out, hanging onto the railing and stepped down. That must've startled them," Banks said.
Banks was determined to protect his flag after someone shredded his previous American flag and ripped up his Marine flag about a year ago.
"They could see me. I couldn't see them," he said. "I turned and looked in the other direction, and about then -- 'wham!' They knocked me down."
The person trying to take the flag down ran off while neighbors rushed in to help the veteran, who was left legally blind by a flare on Iwo Jima, The Associated Press reported.
Banks has several bumps and bruises. He said he also twisted his knee.
"On this forearm, it's kind of sore and rough," he said. "Both of them. I've still got soreness here, but I'm durable. I can take it."
The injuries he suffered won't stop him from his life's mission to honor veterans who sacrifice and serve by displaying his American flag.
"I think we all had that same feeling, that the flag was our identity. We were Americans," said Banks. "The fact that I'm getting older, and the less I can do… at least I can still do that."
Banks said he didn't hear the suspect's voice so he is unsure if the person is a man or woman. In the meantime, his daughter, as well as neighbors and officers, are keeping a close eye on him and his flags.
.
© 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish COL Mikel J. Burroughs ] SrA Christopher Wright Cynthia Croft SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM
92-year-old veteran attacked while protecting American flag
Posted from cbsnews.comPosted in these groups: 
American Flag
American Flag
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Alan K.
I say let the neighbors take care of it.....I would, zero hesitation.
I love it: "I'm Durable. I can take it" Hoorah Marine.
I love it: "I'm Durable. I can take it" Hoorah Marine.
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It is despicable that lowlifes resort to tearing down USA flags from blind veterans SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. Hopefully those thugs will meet their end soon.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Stephen F. roger that my friend, its appalling that these lowlifes would do of such horrific acts of malice.
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Semper Fi. I'd like 5 minutes with the mutant that assaulted a 92 year old Vet. Just 5 minutes in a locked room ... you can do the math
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PO2 John Zodun
I can if you’re by yourself and we know of two that woul d give you 32 seconds per punk and 1:58 to make sure they understand and if I were there you wouldn’t need it but I would have your back punks like that really pisses me off and gets me in a bad mood
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