The family of a New York City firefighter who was killed during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, said a flag presented to them in his honor was stolen from their yard, and they’re begging the thief to give it back.
The flag was given to Melissa Brengel, the sister of the killed firefighter, Jonathan Ieipi, 29, NBC New York reported.
It holds special significance, she said, because it actually flew over the World Trade Center during the cleanup efforts from the attack.
The Brengel family received the flag from the September 11th Families Association, NBC New York reported.
“We put it out during certain times of the year just to remember,” she told CBS New York. “I don’t think there’s a way [the thief] could have known, but at the same time, they’re coming onto my property and taking something that means so much to me and so many Americans.”
Mr. Ieipi worked at Squad 288 for the New York Fire Department when he was killed.
“It hurts me and all of [his firefighting colleagues] that somebody could do something like this,” she said.
Her home sits at the end of a dead-end street in Long Island, and the flag was stolen from her front yard sometime during the day, she said, CBS New York reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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