NORWAY — The contributions of area residents and legislators to replace three flags stolen from the Veterans Memorial Park last year were recognized Wednesday evening in a ceremony.

Colby Davis of Canton, a World War II Air Force veteran and former prisoner of war, accepted thanks from Stone-Smart American Legion Post 82 for his financial contribution. He said after the ceremony that his goal is to restore patriotism in the country. He hoped his action would provide others with incentive to be more patriotic, he said.

The B-24 waist gunner’s plane was shot down in Czechoslovakia in 1944 during his 41st mission and he was captured by the Germans.

“Hopefully this won’t happen again,” he said of the theft of the U.S., Maine and Prisoner of War flags.

Davis was one of half a dozen people to be recognized at the flag-raising ceremony at the park at Main and Paris streets. The others included Harlan and Elaine Johnson, Rawn Phinney, Alfred Snow and state Rep. Tom Winsor of Norway. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe were represented by Chiara Ferrante Diane Jackson, respectively.

The U.S., state of Maine and Prisoner of Wat flags were stolen during the night of Dec. 7, 2010, while at half-staff in observance of Pearl Harbor Day. In January, the Post voted to replace two of them and add a security system.

More than $400 in private donations paid for the security system. The new flags were provided by the offices of Collins, Snowe and Winsor.

No one has been charged with the thefts.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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