Charges Sought In Connection With Cemetery Flag Urination

SOMERVILLE, MA – Police have identified two people in connection with alleged urination on American flags at the Somerville Veterans Memorial Cemetery last week. Felony charges have been sought against the man in Somerville District Court, according to a city spokesperson. Neither person has been publicly identified.

The man was named as a person of interest last week after a witness filed a report with police. George Gattney, who said he saw the urination while driving down Broadway Sept. 10, wrote on Facebook that a man and woman grabbed "three or four" miniature American flags that were placed in front of the statue. The man then tossed the flags behind the statue and urinated on them, Gattney said.

Gatteny said he confronted the pair, who laughed as they continued up Broadway.

The cemetery contains remains of soldiers killed in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars and the 1982 Beirut bombing, according to Somerville Veterans' Services. In a statement posted to its Facebook page, the agency called the alleged incident an "abominable act."

"If these allegations are true, they are offensive not only to our community and our own veterans, but to our entire nation and those who served and continue to serve," Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a statement. "Following the full investigation by the Somerville Police Department, I am confident that anyone who may be found guilty will be held fully responsible for these despicable actions."

Image via city of Somerville