Thefts around Memorial Day and on July 5
According to headquarters staff, the first incident occurred around Memorial Day this year. A person can be seen on surveillance video taking the POW flag.
The American and State of Florida flags were stolen on the night of July 5.
Again, a video shows a person taking the American flag. Both of the videos have been turned over to law enforcement. We have the flags out overnight. (The flagpoles) are lighted, said Christine Harris, executive secretary with the VFW headquarters.
The flags are flown on three 30-foot poles in front of headquarters. The person took the flag down and just left the ropes hanging, Harris said.
Julius was married to Vernita (Willoughby) Julius for 62 years and the couple have two adult children, Francine Julius-Edwards and Russell Julius; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Julius-Edwards said the family took COVID-19 precautions very seriously and she took all CDC-suggested guidelines to help protect her parents. There s no such thing as too careful, she said.
The family has not pinpointed when or where her father might have contracted the virus.
Julius-Edwards, who works with the office of Florida state Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, said her father had a COVID-19 vaccination appointment for Feb. 20 but he had already contracted COVID-19 by Feb. 12.