An American flag now waving on a pole at Stanley Still Park in Poughkeepsie was found covered with urine and feces in a port-a-potty Wednesday.

Chris Edwards, a retired New York City firefighter who served on 9/11 and four-year Navy veteran Johnny B., found the flag.

They say that a group of friends in a softball league for people 60 and older - some of them veterans and retired first responders - saw the American flag wasn't on the pole. When one of them used the bathroom in the portable bathroom at the park, they found the flag in the toilet with urine and feces on it.

They immediately jumped into action to take it out, using water bottles that they had on hand to clean it.

"Once it dried off, somewhat dried it off...we took it and we brought it right back up and we hung it up on that flagpole because it was a sign of resiliency. Whoever did this... right back in your face. You're not going to knock us down. You can take one flag. It's gonna come right back," says Edwards.

The incident is being investigated by Poughkeepsie police, who say the person or people responsible could be charged with criminal mischief under New York law.