East Texas VFW post replaces woman’s stolen memorial flag

Published 5:30 am Monday, July 22, 2024

CARTHAGE — Erica Babb returned to her Carthage home from a six-week road trip to find her house ransacked and belongings stolen, including a deeply sentimental item: her late father’s memorial flag.

Members of Panola County VFW Post 5620 recently stepped in to offer a replacement.

“My husband is a long-haul truck driver,” Babb said. “We decided to take a break and go on a road trip for six weeks. When we came back, the front door was open and the house had been turned upside down. They took our projector, clothes, hygiene items and even our refrigerator. But what hurt the most was discovering that they stole my dad’s memorial flag.”

The flag was presented at her father’s funeral to honor his service in the Vietnam War.

“You can replace material things, but that flag was a piece of my dad. Taking it was like stealing a part of him,” Babb said.

Babb shared her story on Facebook, hoping the thief might return the flag.

“I posted, asking whoever took it to just put it in a trash bag and leave it outside my door. No questions asked,” she said. “One individual from VFW reached out to me offering to help replace the flag. While it can’t replace the original, it’s certainly a kind gesture.”

Babb said despite the strained relationship with her father, Charles Edward Falls,  she cherished their final moments together.

“We had our differences, but right before he passed, we started to bond again,” she said. “Losing that flag is like losing him all over again.”

VFW Post 5620 member Dave Kitzman presented Babb with a replacement flag.

“It’s a small town, and we look out for each other,” he said. “We hope this article spreads the word and touches someone’s heart and brings the flag back where it belongs.”

The Carthage Police Department has stopped investigated the case, citing lack of forced entry.

“They basically said it was my fault for leaving the door unlocked, even though I know I locked it,” Babb said.

She said she remains hopeful that someone might return the flag.

“I just want the person who took it to understand the significance. It’s not just a piece of cloth; it’s a symbol of my father’s sacrifice and our family’s respect for his service.”

For Babb, the new flag serves as a reminder of her father’s legacy and the community’s support. But the pain of losing the original remains.

“Until (the flag is returned), this new flag will stand in its place, honoring my dad’s memory.”

Anyone with information about the stolen flag is asked to contact the Carthage Police Department or Babb through her Facebook post.