STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- For the second time in just three months, Danny DiTonno’s POW/MIA flag was stolen from outside his Oakwood home. And replaced.
“They took the flag again for the second time. I don’t know the reason why. It’s a shame that someone has to do this,” said DiTonno, an 85-year-old World War II and Korean War veteran.
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) and a contingent from the Allen F. Kivlehan Chapter of the Korean War Veterans of America, as well as property owner Dr. Paul Albicocco, presented DiTonno with a new flag.
Ms. Malliotakis, who replaced the banner back in July, made clear that the POW/MIA flag would be replaced no matter how many times it was taken.
“I’m sad and very disappointed that someone in our community would do this to a neighbor, especially a World War II and Korean War veteran,” she said. “I would like to take this person with me to Cuba to show them how my family there lives and perhaps then he would appreciate the democracy they enjoy thanks to the sacrifices of these veterans.”
Albiocco, who installed the flagpole for his tenant, DiTonno, said the repeat theft was “heartbreaking.”
“My nephew was deployed to Afghanistan yesterday,” he said. “It was sad to let him know that this incident happened again on the day of his deployment.”
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