Video shows woman taking couple’s American flag from their Philadelphia yard after Memorial Day

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A couple in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood were surprised by a passerby’s choice to take the American flag from their front yard after Memorial Day.

The owners filmed the whole thing and now wonder why anyone would take their flag.

“We’ve lived here for over 25 years,” Donna Davis said of the home she shares with her husband.

They often hang the American flag on a pole next to their mailbox in their fenced yard.

“We flew our flag in recognition of Memorial Day,” Donna said.

They say they never would have expected what happened Tuesday morning.

“I looked. My flag wasn’t there! And the door was open and we never opened it,” Donna said.

SEE ALSO | Lehigh County Police Search for 3 Suspects Filmed Stealing American Flags

Trying to solve the mystery of what happened to the flag, her husband Clarence watched video from the home’s doorbell camera.

“Lo and behold, someone took the flag,” Donna said.

The video shows a woman dressed in a blue T-shirt and jeans unlocking the couple’s door, walking up to the flag and taking it away with its pole.

She waved the flag then put it on her shoulder as she walked out of the camera’s view.

“At 6 a.m., someone walked down the street, came in, raised the flag and started waving it and walking down the street,” Clarence Davis said.

The woman passed flags to other houses, taking only the one from the Davis house.

They don’t know who this person is or why they would take their flag.

“It’s really kind of like, wow, why would you do that?” Clarence questioned.

He then decided to post the video on an application shared among residents.

“I had a full picture of his face, so I posted it and all these responses started coming in. Everyone was really worried about it,” he said.

The concern was not about the cost of the flag but what it represents, especially on Memorial Day.

“I have a big family, a lot of people served in the military and I supported them,” Clarence said.

“We live in the United States and I believe it’s still the best country in the world,” Donna said. “I’m so proud to be here and that’s why I raised this flag.”

The couple plans to replace their flag. They also say they did not involve the police.

“I just hope whoever did it sees the message and is ashamed of it,” Clarence said.