Wallets Opened after Vandals Hit Flagpoles; Community Rallies to Replace Flagpoles

Catonsville Times article; 6/2/04; Marcia Ames

Cash donations and other offers of help - not to mention expressions of anger - have swelled in the wake of vandalism that toppled 44 flagpoles in Arbutus.

Since the news broke May 24 that Dewey Lowman American Legion Post 109 had lost the equipment for a signature tradition - 44 U.S. flags lining the entrance drive - post commander Lee Maeser has been fielding offers of help.

The community has offered money, labor and materials to repair the damage.

"It's looking a lot better than it was on Monday, that's for sure," Maeser said on Thursday, minutes after Charlestown retirement community pledged a whopping $1,500 to the cause.

That amount brought the cash-in-hand total to more than $5,000. Pledges have also been made.

The cost of repairs may run as high as $300 a pole, including installation.

Donations have been sent from Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky, and across the state of Maryland.

According to Marion Maeser, wife of the post commander, many of these donations have been accompanied by notes that convey anger at the vandalism.

"It's still irritating that it was done," the post commander said, recalling his shock and disgust when the loss was discovered.

"But that's water over the bridge."

The timing was bad - five days before Memorial Day weekend and events planned to coincide with the national World War II memorial dedication in Washington, D.C.

Legionnaires and other guests from around the region would converge on Dewey Lowman expecting a 44-flag display.

"It's a salute to the veterans of the country," Maeser said, explaining a tradition that dates back 10 years, when the Dewey Lowman Post moved to its current site.

Solitary pole remains

All that remained outside for Old Glory May 24 was a single pole in front of the building.

However, a crew was able to splint the damaged poles so they could fly flags for ceremonies May 29.

The loss affected more than a single group of legionnaires.

"I think it touched a lot of us around here, especially in this day and age when we're at war," said Eric Bouchat, who owns a welding and metal fabrication business in Arbutus.

Bouchat Industries and ALN Metals Inc., a Curtis Bay company owned by Arbutus resident Albert Nalley Sr., have chipped in to help, along with the local WACO Products company and its president, Bill Taylor.

"Our company is donating materials. ... Another local company, Robnet Inc., is donating the hardware, the nuts and bolts," said Coleen Brennock, a WACO spokeswoman.

"We called in to order it, and when they found out what we were using it for, they went ahead and donated it."

WACO employees Mark Kirstukas, Jim Quoss, Rick Sandoval and Tom Schwartz volunteered their labor, free of charge, to replace some poles in time for the weekend events.

Maeser was hoping as many as 10 poles could be fashioned from bits and pieces remaining from the 44.

Devastating act

"This was a devastating act of vandalism that affected not just the members of the post, but the greater community - everyone who values freedom and democracy in the United States," said Mel Tansill, a spokesman for Charlestown's parent company, Erickson Retirement Communities.

"When we heard about this, we wanted to do what we can to help."

Tansill said he contacted Charlestown's executive director, Michael Conord, who responded immediately.

"We have a very patriotic constituency here," Conord said.

"Many of our residents are veterans ... so we're very sympathetic to anything that's related to the military or patriotism."

He described the vandalism as "a personal blow against people who have sacrificed themselves and been through so much for the country.

"We wanted to do whatever we could to help."

Meanwhile, Baltimore County police are asking the public's help to find the culprits - probably more than one person, based on the amount of damage.

"We need somebody to come forward," said Capt. Stephen Vaughan, Precinct 2 commander, commenting Friday.

"My detectives are still working the case ... (but) we have no leads."

The damage is thought to have occurred between 11:59 p.m. May 23 and about 7 a.m. May 24 at the entrance drive to 1610 Sulphur Spring Road.

In addition to the pole destruction, signs were knocked down and picnic tables were overturned. A heavy-duty vehicle, such as a truck, may have been involved.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at 410-744-1534.

Anyone wanting to contact the Dewey Lowman American Legion Post may call 410-242-5956.

E-mail Marcia Ames at mames@patuxent.com.

Authority: Citizens for Albert Nalley - Dave Amann, Treasurer