American flags burned, vandalized, stolen across U.S.

As Americans show their love of country this Independence Day, they’re being forced to battle thieves, vandals and arsonists.

Peachtree flag theftsEric Irvin is resorting to increasing his home security to protect his American flag.

Irvin lives in a Peachtree City, Georgia neighborhood that has been hit by a rash of flag thefts just before the 4th of July.

“It frustrates me,” Irvin says of the thief who swiped flags from the houses in his neighborhood, which is filled with veterans.

“I served for 20 years and it means a lot to me and my soldiers,” neighbor Bob Karpiak says of the American flag.

“It kind of pisses me off,” a more blunt Phillip Griffiths tells CBS 46. “They’re either stupid out just outright disrespectful.”

“I was eight years with the Army,” Georgia Pappas says. “I’m just really appalled. I don’t understand why anyone would do that.  Even if it’s just a joke, someone is doing it trying to be funny, I don’t find it funny.”

“I served in the United States Army for more than 16 years,” neighbor Frank Ward says, according to ABC 57. “All of us patriotic folks who live here have a problem with this.

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