In an act of penitence, a thief returned an Alabama church’s American flags with a note of apology after stealing them from a Fourth of July tribute to fallen military heroes. Rather than pressing charges, the congregation invited the remorseful thief to join them at church service.
First Baptist Church hosts a display of over 100 American flags on its grounds, each with a red, white, or blue ribbon and the name of a military veteran, as a tribute to the state’s fallen heroes for the sacrifices they made for visitors to contemplate.
On the morning of July 5, however, four of the some 100 flags were missing.
“I’m sorry for taking the flags,” read the note of apology. “I did not mean any disrespect though I know it was wrong.
“I was drinking and had a dumb idea ... I had no idea that there were names of fallen heroes which makes it even worse, as if stealing from the church wasn’t bad enough to begin with.
“Again, I truly apologize. I’m not a bad person, just a little messed up ... please forgive me.”
The church and its congregation chose not to press charges. Instead, they extended an invitation to the anonymous repenter to stop by for Sunday services, without pressure to reveal their identity.
“We would like to let whoever it was, since you didn’t sign your note, know that your apology is accepted, and you are invited to attend our Church services anytime.”
“At this time in our world we should all be repenting for something and forgiving for a lot,” wrote another. “God bless the human race.”