ELBERTA, Ala. — It was what many would consider the quintessential Fourth of July; at least, Gayola Strain sees it that way.

Hundreds were on hand at VFW Post 5658 to celebrate America’s 233 years of independence. A “beautiful, wonderful day” is the way Strain puts it; a day of flags, celebration and fireworks.

And then, just before the fireworks started, that’s when Strain noticed the missing flag: Two feet by three feet but no small thing to the bar manager at Post 5658.

“That’s pretty bad when somebody would steal a flag from the VFW,” Strain said this week.

“These people have risked their lives and fought these wars.”

According to Strain, American flags were placed around the Post 5658’s building as part of the Fourth of July celebration. The flag that was taken was on the side of building.

“I don’t know when it happened but we noticed it missing right before the fireworks. I would have been more than happy to give them a flag if they wanted one,” Strain said of the culprit or culprits who helped themselves to the flag.

Now, however, she doesn’t feel quite as generous about it.

“I just felt like that was pretty rude to take it they way they did. I’d just like to let the person know who took it, you really don’t have a lot of heart.”

According to VFW Departmental Statistics for the State of Alabama, the Kichler-Pippen Post in Elberta has a total of 664 members.