American flags honoring Purple Heart veteran torn down from bridge in Yarmouth

American flags honoring a two-time Purple Heart recipient were torn down from the Lance Corporal William Joseph Donovan Jr Bridge in Yarmouth Monday according to executives The bridge on West Yarmouth Road is named after a Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School graduate who served as a marine in Afghanistan and has been recognized with a purple heart twice Donovan died in a motorcycle accident in while participating in an event for the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Riders The flags were placed on the bridge Friday by Donovan s father They replaced eight flags that were previously damaged in July State agents say this vandalism is unacceptable It s hurtful it s not just the piece of cloth commented Massachusetts State Rep Steven Xiarhos Chosen coward destroyed the American flags on Will s bridge that his dad had just put up over the weekend Xiarhos knew Donovan well He says Donovan went to high school with and served the country alongside his son Nick If you damage someone else s flag on one of those bridges you re committing a felony and you re disrespecting the families explained Xiarhos It s bigger than politics People like Will and Nick risked their lives so you can have that freedom that flag represents them Organizers tell NEWS there are plans to replace the torn flags Anyone with information about the vandalism is required to call Yarmouth police