A thug decided to steal a veteran’s flag after seeing him saluting it each day. The thief walked up to rip down the flag, thinking the veteran couldn’t do anything since he lost one of his eyes during his service for our country. They had no idea they had just made a very big mistake.
Howard Banks, a 96-year-old World War II veteran who’s got problems with his sight, flies Old Glory outside of his Kaufman, Texas home. Having been blinded by a flare during his service to his country, one would think people would leave the old man alone to live out his years in peace, but sadly, that’s not the case. Years after serving during wartime, he’s still defending our flag.
Sadly, our flag has become a source of controversy and division. Someone expressed concern about Banks displaying both the American and Marine Corps flags outside his home, and this wasn’t a one-time occurrence. While some view the flag as a symbol of the many positive aspects and freedoms our nation stands for, displaying it proudly in tribute to those who have defended it, there are others who believe that America has fallen short in providing liberty and justice for all. This second group takes exception to the emblem of our great nation and chooses not to pay homage to it.
No matter where you stand regarding your sentiments about our nation and its flag, most people would concur that everyone has the right to make choices about their own property and how they display the flag. Regrettably, it appears that at least one individual didn’t share this viewpoint when they noticed Banks flying the flag outside his Texas residence. Opting to show disrespect towards the flag, this person also attempted to encroach on the veteran’s rights. However, the war hero wasn’t going to allow a violation without putting up a fight.
As the veteran was minding his own business, he heard his flag being pulled down, and since this wasn’t the first time someone had vandalized his property, targeting his flags, he had a good idea of what was going on outside. The suspect likely thought the old man was an easy target since he couldn’t see well, but they made one big mistake. He could hear just fine.
Recognizing the noise right away, the elderly man leaped into action the best he could, rushing outside to find out what was going on. That’s when Banks caught the thugs in the act. But, the depraved individuals decided to take their disrespect one step further.
“I walked out, hanging onto the railing and stepped down. That must’ve startled them,” Banks recalled. “They could see me. I couldn’t see them. I turned and looked in the other direction, and about then – ‘wham!’ They knocked me down.”
That’s when the veteran pulled his gun and shot the thug.
Although Banks took a hit and was injured in the chaos that ensued, he successfully defended his American flag. The thug was forced to run off without it. Not to be discouraged and wanting to make his disgust with the veteran’s patriotic sentiments known, the vandal ripped down the old man’s “God Bless All Police” sign and threw it across the yard. Still, things didn’t go according to plan for this thug at all.
The thug is not yet arrested and the veteran said that he sleeps well knowing that he defended the flag yet again!
