American flags displayed on street, lawn in Needham found burned

NEEDHAM, Mass. — About a dozen American flags lined up along Highland Avenue were burned Sunday night, according to police. A dozen more flags set on the lawn near the Exchange Club were found destroyed as well.

The flags have been replaced but the red, white and blue ashes are still scattered along the grass. Longtime Needham resident, Kate Robey, takes it upon herself to display the flags on Highland Avenue during patriotic holidays.

“I think everyone appreciates it, I get honks and the waves and the thank yous,” said Robey.

But this 4th of July, the flags were vandalized. “Dedicated people put those out and to just burn them, nonchalantly, it’s hurtful,” she said.

Robey has been working with the Needham VFW for years and always displays these flags in the same parts of town for almost a decade now. She’s left confused and wondering why someone would vandalize her tribute to the men and women serving the country.

“As I do the flags I think of the veterans, fallen brave and the military are out there fighting for our freedom now,” said Robey.

Nearly two dozen American flags displayed on Needham street, lawn burned About a dozen American flags lined up along Highland Avenue were burned Sunday night, according to police.

Robey said about a dozen were burned by Memorial Park and a dozen more burned outside the Needham Exchange Club, where 500 flags were displayed in lieu of a scaled-back 4th of July celebration.

“I don’t mind what you do at your home with your flags but these flags are my flags and it’s vandalism,” said Robey.

Police said they are investigating the matter.

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