Man Pleads for Help in Finding His Fallen Son’s American Flag

Shawn Marceau of White Swan, Washington, has one desperate plea: Return my son’s American flag, no questions asked.

The feedback from his May 4 post on Facebook asking for help in locating the flag has been amazing, said Marceau. “I can’t believe all the love that is out there,” he told LifeZette via Facebook Messenger of the response from friends and total strangers.

The treasured flag belonged to his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Joe Jackson, who was killed in Afghanistan on April 24, 2011, while conducting combat operations. He was only 22. Marceau said the flag and other items were stolen when someone broke into his truck back in April, according to KGW-TV. He has searched locally, he said, but has not been able to find the cherished item.

The flag is very sentimental to Marceau because Jackson had it over his bed before he went out on his last patrol. Jackson’s entire Marine platoon had signed that flag; two of those members have since died.

One Facebook commenter summed up the feelings of a lot of Facebook commenters, writing, “Shared in Mo [Missouri]. May God see that this flag some way is returned to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Marceau decided to post a photo of the flag.

He did so in the event it turns up at a thrift store or pawn shop.

Marceau has started a GoFundme page –– not to earn money, but to spread the word and provide a mailing address for anyone who wishes to return the precious item.

He has offered a reward for the flag’s return; the amount is unspecified.

His post had been shared more than 92,000 times as of Thursday afternoon.

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Deirdre Reilly is a senior editor with LifeZette.