Published: Monday, May 2, 2011
Updated: Monday, May 2, 2011 12:05
The American flag waving over the Parade Ground was cut from its cable and burned around 5:45 a.m. Monday, said Cpt. William Conger with the University Department of Military Science and Leadership.
Conger said the Louisiana state flag flying with the American flag was destroyed and the University flag was stolen. He said the LSU Police Department is "diligently investigating" the crime and working to find the culprit.
"It's an act of cowardice, not only to this great nation, but to the men
and women who serve this great nation," Conger said. He called the act "unacceptable."
and women who serve this great nation," Conger said. He called the act "unacceptable."
Conger said the ignition source appears to be a model rocket engine with two matches.
The burning comes the morning after the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death after a firefight with a U.S. Navy Seal team. Details about the flag burning at the Parade Ground have not been confirmed, and it is unsure at this time if the burning has anything to do with bin Laden's death.
University students will host a prayer vigil on the Parade Ground at noon today in response to the burning of the American flag at Memorial Tower earlier this morning.
According to University student and former SG Presidential candidate David Jones, the vigil is a "prayer for peace."
Justin Bryson, political science junior and ROTC member, said he and Paxton Haydel, criminology junior and ROTC member, were at PT around 6 a.m. when someone from Facility Services told them about the flag's state.
Conger, Bryson and Haydel said they retired the flag. They said the memorial was charred.
Bryson, Haydel and Austin Stukins, interior design sophomore, ROTC member and Marines veteran, then set up a set of colors and stood guard over them.
"We didn't want to not have a flag over the war memorial so we took it upon ourselves to make sure there was a set of colors up here," Bryson said.
Conger said the new set-up of the colors was not command or University directed, but the corps of cadets took the action upon themselves.
"We're very proud of them — it's a testament to their character as LSU Tigers and as future officers in the United States [Military]."
Conger said it may take a long period of time to re-string the flag, and said the Fire Department will be involved.
