Two weeks ago, when Brent Carter brought the flag inside at the end of the day, the shop’s co-owner discovered it vandalized with several burn holes.

PANAMA CITY — Every day, Brent Carter hangs the American flag outside McGraws Shoe and Boot Service on Harrison Avenue.

But two weeks ago, when he brought the flag inside at the end of the day, the shop’s co-owner discovered it vandalized with several burn holes.

Their customers, and the community at large, were dismayed and outraged after Brent’s wife and store co-owner Brandy Carter posted about the vandalism on Facebook. She said the reaction was “overwhelming.”

“People started seeing it and one of the news channels and did a little report on us,” Brent Carter said. “And from that report some people from the Republican Party, committee, whatever’s in town, a regular customer saw it and they asked the head of the Republican Party if they could give us another flag. And he said, ‘We can do better than that, we’ll call Neal Dunn’s office because they can get flags from the capitol.'"

Dunn, a U.S. Representative and a frequent customer, came through, giving the store not only a new flag but one flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Dunn called the couple, who he said he’s known “for years,” and visited the store Friday to hand over the flag and a certificate of authenticity. He said he was glad to help the Carters, a “nice young family.”

“I was just surprised that it went that far,” Carter said. “We were mad about them burning the flag, but we didn’t realize it would just get this much attention. ... I can’t believe someone would stand out there in the middle of the day and do that to the flag.”

Dunn said he’s used McGraws for years, “so I turned around to help. ... It’s fun to help someone you know. They’re great citizens.”