In Indiana, two firefighters garnered admiration for their discreet patriotic gesture when they returned an American flag that had been dislodged from a man’s porch.
While patrolling a picturesque neighborhood, South Bend Fire Department members Cody MacLeod and Bryan Haskel noticed an American flag that had been torn from its stand, as reported by WSMV 4.
The firefighters carefully retrieved the flag and folded it in a respectful military fashion. They placed it gently on the porch, where its pole had been snapped by unexpectedly strong winds, then resumed their duties without a second thought.
Homeowner Tyler Gillean was at the airport when his Ring camera detected movement on his front porch. Curious, he accessed the live feed and was moved to see MacLeod and Haskel meticulously returning his flag.
“Their care and precision in placing it here so tenderly is truly remarkable. We are lucky to have such dedicated individuals in the South Bend Fire Department,” Gillean shared with NBC News.
Both MacLeod and Haskel, who grew up in military households, viewed their brief detour as a simple act of respect.
“We just have a lot of patriotism and that flag means a lot,” MacLeod told the outlet.
“Once we could figure out where it belongs, I mean, why not just put it back?” Haskel added.
They both chalked up the overwhelming response to their good deed as just another instance of America “coming together and being united.”
“With all the stuff going on in the world right now, it doesn’t hurt to help a neighbor,” MacLeod said.
“Doing a small act of kindness or doing something good for somebody, whether anybody’s watching or not, if everybody did that, the world would be a much better place,” Haskel said.
