Good for you. The flag was ultimately destined to be tossed into the bushes along side of the road somewhere which is totally disrespectful, but the act itself was vandalism which is criminal. If caught in the act the perpetrators probably would not have been smart enough to know what it was they were doing wrong. They no doubt will eventually learn hopefully without a cost to society beyond the $ 30 bucks for your flag.
Since I am probably at this juncture considered anal by some, I might as well go on record by saying all of the citizens of this great country, be they veterans , or not, owe respect to the flag. It is not an ornament to be displayed in a garden and left to be slowly destroyed by the elements. It is not a decoration to be flown in a spate of sudden found patriotism an left to fray when it is forgotten. Too many of our fellow citizens have given their lives to protect this symbol of our democracy for these things to happen to it.
I am sure the OP feels similarly . Flag etiquette pamphlets are readily available from The American Legion and other veterans organizations. They are often included in the package when a flag is purchased.
And for the 1st Amendment folks who will take exception, no I do not believe the symbol of our wonderful country needs legal protection. It's symbolism transcends any legal necessity.
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