While the rest of the country was preparing for a celebration of the nation’s independence, Arizona State Representative Kelly Townsend on July 4th was documenting the destruction of her campaign signs, and more importantly the torched remnants of one of the American flags adorning those signs. Townsend found the destruction at the corner of Guadalupe and Arizona State Route 202 in Mesa.
The Navy veteran said she intends to file a police report.
“I am especially proud of my political signs, which are simple and communicate my love of this country with the two flags affixed to each end,” said Townsend. “I was angered and shocked this morning. However, to find one of my signs torched and melted with the American flag tattered in half from the flames. I have put up with people stealing the flags and even knocking down my signs, but it is unforgivable when they light Old Glory on fire, especially on this sacred day.”
With the #AmericaWasNeverGreat trending on Twitter, the sight of Townsend’s sign should not be shocking. According to an article in the Daily Caller, “The hashtag appears to have been started by Black Lives Matter supporters and was quickly adopted by a variety of interest groups.”
Still, in the mostly conservative bastion of Mesa, the desecration of the flag is surprising.
“Men and women have died for that flag and the simple disregard for what that means should grieve every American heart who sees it.” Townsend, the widowed mother of two adult children and one high school sophomore, concluded, “Teach your children to know and understand what this symbol represents so that we might once again have reverence for the Stars and Stripes like we should.”
