Sept. 11, 2002 Photo Gallery

        MELBOURNE — Less than two weeks after they were ripped from their poles, American flags once again line Ky. 8 in this close-knit, patriotic community.

        “The response from the public has just been overwhelming,” said Melbourne Mayor George Koopman.

        “We've got new flags up and down the highway. I've lost count of the number of flags we had donated from individuals, from VFW posts, from local merchants.”

        When the flags were ripped down on Labor Day weekend, officials in this Campbell County town of 457 didn't know how they would come up with the money to replace the flags, which had flown during every major holiday the past four years. What they didn't count on was the public response.

        On Wednesday, the day after the mayor, a city commissioner and the part-time public works employee put up 20 flags along both sides of Ky. 8, people were still bringing flags to the municipal building, said Jody Henderson, city clerk. More than $1,000 has been donated for a special flag fund, and people have called from as far as Dayton, Ohio, wanting to know what they could do.

        “(Vandals) may tear down things, but the spirit's still very much alive,” Mrs. Henderson said. “There's probably no way to say thank you to all of the people who responded. It's been heartwarming.”

        At the Melbourne Qwick Food Mart on Ky. 8, customers stopped to chat about the flags Wednesday, as employees passed out stickers with the message, “Let's roll.”

        “Everybody was tickled to see the flags back up because this is a patriotic town,” said cashier Jennifer Wagner, whose relatives have fought in four wars. “I just don't understand why someone would desecrate the flag, especially here. We've got a lot of veterans in town.”

        The mayor said he was particularly gratified by the response of passersby.

        “As we were walking along the highway putting up flags, people were going by and tooting their horns,” he said. “One guy reached in his pocket and pulled out a $100 bill. It really put a lump in your throat.”

        Anyone with information about the flag vandalism and thefts should call Campbell County Police at (859) 635-3122.

Patients lose emergency help
Vigils in Tristate punctuated by patriotism, grief
A walk of peace
Cincinnati Firefighters Memorial
Fairfield
Fifth Third Bank
Hero's welcome 1 year removed from WTC rubble
Hillel Jewish Student Center
New flags hearten town hit by vandals
Newport
The lessons of 9-11
Trail of tears for fallen comrades
Union, Ky.
Walnut Hills
West Chester Township
Norwood levy passed in May certified
P&G endorses light rail plans
Report on police not conclusive
Theodore Berry sculpture unveiled
Tristate A.M. Report
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
PULFER: The grandchild
RADEL: The 9-11 generation
Pisgah merchants leery of proposal
Recreation center hinges on levy
Sex abuse case may be refiled
Shopping center wins OK
Theme of school grant: to seem smaller
EPA gives bleak report of Ohio's rivers, streams
County to get back about $40K
Executive donates 43 acres to Boone Co. for river park
Kentucky News Briefs
Newport taxes fall once again
Rezoning OK'd over objections
Turfway readies for Kentucky Cup Saturday