BAZETTA TWP., Ohio - More than 400 American flags and veteran emblems and their holders were stolen from gravesites of former service members at Hillside Cemetery earlier this month.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Bob Mangold says the flag markings not only honor those who served in the military, but also helps locate many veterans whose gravesites aren't marked as the cemeteries written records were lost over time.

"So unfortunately for some of the older graves from the Civil War and there after, most likely those gravesites are just going to be lost to history forever," Mangold said.

The cemetery is the final resting place for veterans who fought in wars dating back to the Revolutionary War. Every year Mangold and members of the American Legion Post place the flags next to every veteran in the cemetery on memorial day. He says efforts are now underway to replace the markers.

"We will do the best we can to decorate as many graves as we can by Memorial Day so families, when they visit can have a good time thinking about their departed veteran," Mangold told 21 News.

According to Mangold, Bazetta police are investigating a possible person of interests.