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Police track down some flags stolen from Field of Honor in Mansfield

MANSFIELD, Mass. — Mansfield Police have tracked down some of the flags that were stolen from a display for service members in the center of town.

Last Sunday, Ray Delliacono, one member of the Mansfield Field of Honor Committee, noticed that parts of the display were missing.

Now, some of the flags have been found, and the committee is starting to feel a bit better.

"It's a good feeling that some are back," Delliacono said. "It's going to be a good feeling when the rest are found."

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The 350 flags in the Field of Honor were put up almost a month ago, right next to the police station.

Each one was donated in memory of a fallen service member, or as a thank you to a veteran.

The flags are on display for one month, and they are then given to their sponsors, or, in some cases, sent to troops serving overseas.

Jeri Rumsis, the chair of the committee, says she got a call from police this week, saying three of the flags had been returned.

Police say the person who stole them has substance abuse and mental health issues, and won't face charges.

"I don't feel sorry for them," Rumsis said. "I think they should learn some respect."

Two of the flags are still missing: One to honor police, and one in honor of the Navy.

Rumsis says, while the committee is glad to have the three back, it's an incomplete feeling.

"It's nice, but it's not good enough," Rumsis said. "To me, this is like robbing a grave. Would you do that at Arlington National Cemetery? This is a Field of Honor, you don't disrupt it."