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A total of 160 Canadian flags have gone missing from the graves of soldiers in an act that a Windsor veterans memorial group is calling “malicious” and “saddening.”

“Especially at this time of year,” said Paul Lauzon, president of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee. “It’s very frustrating.”

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“You know, it’s hard for me to say what’s in the mind of some of these individuals who have no respect for the freedoms they have today, or the people who provided them.”

The flags were put in place by committee members last week in the First World War section of Windsor Grove Cemetery at Giles Boulevard and Howard Avenue — part of the committee’s usual preparations for Remembrance Day.

“We try to put out a flag for every veteran. We want every veteran, dead or alive, to be recognized for their service,” Lauzon said.

Photo by Dax Melmer / Windsor Star

On Monday, the committee learned that every flag was gone.

“They took them all,” Lauzon said. “It’s sad. These flags — You can get them at a dollar store. There’s no real value other than what they represent.”