Arizona veteran's American flag set on fire outside home before Memorial Day weekend

close

Video

American flag nearly set fire outside Arizona veteran's home

Doorbell camera footage shows an individual attempt to set fire to an American flag left hanging outside a home in Tempe, Ariz. owned by a veteran who previously served in Afghanistan.

Someone appeared to set fire to an American flag ahead of Memorial Day weekend outside the home of a veteran who served in Afghanistan, video shows.

Adam Douglas, who last served in Afghanistan as a captain in 2019, returned to his home in Tempe, Ariz., to celebrate Memorial Day weekend but noticed the American flag outside his home was gone.

OREGON, RHODE ISLAND WAR MEMORIALS VANDALIZED OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, POLICE SAY

Upon checking his doorbell camera, video taken days earlier on May 26 shows a man touching the flag before picking up what appears to be a lighter. Douglas told Fox 10 Phoenix he heard several clicks from the lighter trying to ignite as the man attempted to light the flag on fire. 

"Memorial Day weekend -- we've had people die while I was over there as well," Douglas told the station, describing his military deployment. "It means a lot, I want to make sure that flag is out on Memorial Day weekend. To have it stolen is... I just couldn't understand it."

(Adam Douglas/Fox 10)  (Adam Douglas/Fox 10 Phoenix)

Though police canvassed the area, the flag was never found. Douglas soon replaced it.

"This one's a little bigger than the last one too," Douglas said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Tempe Police Department is investigating the incident. Douglas said he owns several flags that he had with him while deployed in Afghanistan – ones he said he's now relieved to have not been flying outside his home last week.