An Army veteran is asking for the return of a flag that was stolen from his front porch in broad daylight.
- Army Vet asks for Army flag stolen from porch
- Billek says wife filed complaint with sheriff's office
- Outpouring of support received on social media
“It kind of is a slap in the face,” said Staff Sgt. Danny Billek, 36. “Fourteen years, I did 56 months in Iraq and Afghanistan and come here and hang up my flag, and somebody took it.”
Billek said the Army flag was taken Wednesday morning sometime after he left for work and his wife took their children to school.
After five deployments, Billek retired from the military last year for medical reasons. His mother-in-law gave him the flag as a way to continue showing his Army pride.
Billek said his wife filed a complaint with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
“I would hope that the person who took it decides to do the right thing and bring it back,” he said. “I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen, and so I’m going to stay optimistic about it and hoping that the person who took it may be vet who’s down on his luck and really wanted a flag to hang up in his house.”
Billek said one positive to come from the theft is the outpouring of support he’s received on social media, with a few people offering to buy him a new flag.
The vet said that’s not necessary – he’ll purchase a replacement if the original isn’t returned.
In the meantime, Billek continues to display the American flag, which was left untouched by thieves.
“Those colors don’t run,” he said. “So, they’re going to stay right there hanging out with me too.”