Family distraught after finding flag burned

Thu, May 8, 2008

GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP — Leaving her home for work Tuesday morning, Trisha Converse couldn't believe the site near the end of her driveway.

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Her family's American flag was lowered to the ground and burnt to a crisp.

"It's very, very disturbing and upsetting," she said. "I was thinking, 'Who would burn the U.S. flag? I didn't think it was real."

"I have no idea why anyone would do this," added her husband, Dennis Converse.

Dennis Converse recently put a new coat of paint, new hooks and rope on the flag pole in front of their home on Lakeshore Drive, near Ferris Street. Tuesday, the rope was charred and a large black spot with small pieces of the flag remained in his yard.

"The police think it might be kids, but this would be one of the weirdest kid pranks," Dennis Converse said. "Like my wife said, it's real malicious and she feels violated."

Ottawa County Sheriff's Department Lt. Steve Kempker said there are no other reports of burned flags or malicious destruction in the area.

"Our officers are investigating and putting some feelers out," Kempker said. " We believe (the Converses) probably were not singled out."

According to Kempker, the incident happened some time between 11 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Dennis Converse said he had loosely tied the flag so he could easily lower its staff. Other than the loose tie, the Converses said they have no idea they would be the target of what they called a malicious act.

"I'm not real political," Converse said. "I don't have any signs in my yard (but) I vote. I was never in the service. I'm not a political candidate. That's the oddity of it.

"I would hope (it was random) — it'd be pretty scary if it's not," he added. "Why would someone target me or my house? I don't know of anyone (who) would think to do something that insane. "

The Converses said the arsonist likely put an accelerant on the flag because it had burnt right through the rope. They say they've never had any other flag destruction, but a previous American flag blew away once.

"In the past, someone stole my University of Michigan flag. ... It's not uncommon," Dennis Converse said.

Converse said the incident feels "spiteful and personal" to him.

"You grow up with a respect for the flag and you hold it in high regard," he said. "When I was a kid, I remember Rick Monday from the Chicago Cubs stopping someone from burning the flag in the outfield at Wrigley Field. My whole class sent a letter to him thanking him."

Kempker said there are no suspects and very little evidence, but the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Department at 738-4025 or Silent Observer at 842-1400.