The burning of American flags on the doorsteps of Manassas Park veterans has outraged the men on the eve of Memorial Day weekend.

The city's police department and fire marshal reported three flags were burned in recent weeks.

"Everyone I told was infuriated and out of their seats. That's like fighting words, to burn the United States flag," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Kaess, whose flag was reduced to ruins by a blaze.

"I've been reading on some blogs on the Internet and there are people afraid to fly American flags. It's a shame," Kaess said.

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He returned from a weekend of reserve duty to discover his flag was missing. He thought it was swept away in a rainstorm, only to learn later the pole was smothered in soot.

Kaess bought a new flag that night.

He hasn't been the only one forced to buy a new version of Old Glory.

"I have a lot of respect for the flag and I don't have any respect for people who don't," added Willie Leal, a veteran of nine years of duty who works for the Department of Homeland Security.

"For someone walking on my property to my house and light my flag is very disturbing," he said. "I don't know what message they are trying to send, but it is not welcomed."

Because the flag was mounted to the Leal family's house by the garage, the fire could have spread to the house's vinyl siding had a larger fire engulfed his 3-foot by 5-foot flag.

"It didn't fully ignite, seemed like they were trying to burn it with a lighter," he said.

Both men described the vandalism as out of place for the community.

"We've never had any problem. Nobody drives by fast, there's no loud music. For this to happen, it's very surprising," said Leal, who bought a $20 flag Thursday evening.

While Kaess said he was warned that replacing the flag could draw the vandals back, he didn't hesitate.

"I got a cotton one. It's not going up as easy as the satin one."

dgenz@dcexaminer.com