MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. -- Two weeks ago Channel 9 reported on Mary White, a Merritt Island woman who had just lost her husband to a heart attack. The family lowered his flags to half staff, but the night before his funeral a thief stole them off the flag pole.

Roy White was so proud of his American flag and U.S. Marine flag that he had lights installed to keep them on display day and night. Friday, for the first time in two weeks, the display was flying again.

Honking their horns and revving their engines, more than a dozen motorcycles rolled to a stop in front of Mary White's home. On the motorcycles sat the Patriot Guard riders carrying a surprise for the widow of a former Marine.

After the story aired, there was an immediate outpour. Calls and e-mails from as far as Iraq and Italy flooded the newsroom, all from people wanted to help. The Patriot Guard proved to be the most persistent Friday afternoon when they raised first the American flag and then the flag of the United States Marine Corps.

White never learned who stole her husband's flags. The Patriot Guard riders said they just hope the person responsible got the message. This is not a crime the community will tolerate.