by Jeff Olsen

Val Bernat, a spit and polish retired soldier, was clearly disgusted upon discovering that three of the flag poles along the boulevard at the Veterans Memorial Park had been purposely damaged late at night on Monday, May 25.

On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the street that runs from Center Street to Highway 11 is decorated with tall aluminum poles and American flags blowing in the wind.

To date, the project is nearly half completed. The goal is to have the equivalent of two city blocks standing tall with donated flag poles in honor of local veterans.

"Three of the poles were ben...