HOUSTON (FOX 26) -
With the help of our viewers, we may have solved the mystery as to how an American flag ended up off the Southwest Freeway.
After a number of calls from folks in California and Iowa, we learned the rightful owner actually lives here in Houston. He is a Marine and says the flag may have blown out of his truck while moving apartments.
Marine Corporal Jose Bonilla, also living in Houston, served two tours in Iraq and claims to know the people who signed this US symbol.
"The Babylon ruins, Sadaam had a palace there and it was where we were guarding; at one point, it was headquarters," Bonilla said.
He said it's not uncommon for soldiers to sign American flags before leaving war, so seeing this was no surprise but where it was found sure was.
"It's sad to know that it was found in the middle of a highway," he said.
We first told you about this flag when a FOX 26 employee found it off a busy highway. With the help of our viewers, we then found Corporal Bonilla.
He was quick to introduce us to all the heroes who signed, especially "Mad Max", a Marine who was killed. Tyler Maher, from Iowa, is his younger brother.
"I couldn't stop shaking. I was pretty excited. It's always cool to find things of Jared's cause not everything was returned. It's kinda hard to get everything back."
Here in Houston, Bonilla remembered one of his fallen brothers and wanted to thank the person who found the flag, saying they not only saved a US symbol, but the bravery, honor and unforgettable memories it carries with it.
