Tearful Reunion As Dad's Lost American Flag Returned To Daughter In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — There were tears, hugs, and gratitude when Colleen Lange was reunited with her deceased father's American flag, which was accidentally given away at an estate sale in Bridgewater.

"I am happy the family wanted it. It would be a shame if someone didn't remember that gentleman that died - he was a Korean War veteran," Hillsborough Vietnam War Veteran George Mariasz told Patch as he began to cry. "It is the only remembrance we have of people who served in wars."

Lange of Bedminster was frazzled leading up to the estate sale on Jan. 21 at her mother's home at 474 Somerville Road in Bridgewater. Her mom had died on Sept. 24, 2021, and the house was listed on Jan. 1 and sold within two weeks.

This left Lange only a matter of weeks to clear it out. In the midst of everything, her deceased father's American flag was left behind.

Lange's father was a U.S. Army veteran who died of cancer in 1998 at the age of 60. At the time of his death, Lange's mother was given the flag as part of the ceremonial burial.

Mariasz and his wife, who like to go to different sales in the area to browse, almost didn't go to Lange's estate sale but changed their minds at the last minute.

While inside the home they found an American flag rolled up in the garage.

"I am a Vietnam veteran and we always try to protect the flag if we can and make sure it is disposed of properly," said Mariasz.

Mariasz served as an Army Hawk Pulse Radar Mechanic, posted to Bien Hoa Airbase in Vietnam from April 1967 to April 1968. He survived the January 1968 Tet Offensive. He is a member of the VFW and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452.

When he saw the ceremonial funeral flag sitting on top of a bookcase, he inquired about it.

"I asked the guy running the sale what he was planning to do with it. I said the family should take it. He said he didn't think the family wanted it," said Mariasz.

Mariasz took the flag to pass onto his friend who is an expert in flag rules and regulations to properly dispose of it.

"It's our nation's flag and in this case a remembrance of a veteran," said Mariasz.

When Lange realized the flag was accidentally taken she was desperate to try to get it back. In an effort to help Lange, Patch wrote a story about the flag on Jan. 28. Read More: Veteran's American Flag Accidentally Sold At Bridgewater Sale

Lange's friend and former sorority sister saw Patch's story and shared it with her aunt and uncle - Mariasz and his wife. Within an hour they were in touch by phone and crying.

They met on Sunday to get the flag. Lange said the encounter was meant to be.

"He looks just like my dad. He was super, super nice. He took [the flag] because he didn't want to see it thrown out," said Lange.

"I am just glad the family wants it... the flag was important. That needed to be with the family," said Mariasz

Lange spent some time talking with Mariasz and his wife and made new friends.

"Everything just worked out well," said Lange. "I needed this win."

To learn how to properly dispose of an American flag visit nationalflagfoundation.org.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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