GOP lawmaker sends letter to frat brothers who defended American flag

Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, praised the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill fraternity brothers for displaying "extreme courage" and "deep patriotism" after they defended the American flag from an anti-Israel mob on campus.

In a letter addressed to "the Brothers of Pi Kappa Phi" and obtained by Fox News Digital, Fallon commended the group of students who stepped in when anti-Israel agitators tried to replace the American flag with a Palestinian flag. 

UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts ordered police to return the American flag, but activists, some of whom were not affiliated with Chapel Hill, tried to take the flag down a second time. A group of fraternity brothers and other students took immediate action to stop Old Glory from hitting the ground. A photo of the moment went viral on social media.

"Your actions are not only commendable, but should be lauded from sea to shining sea!" Fallon wrote in the letter published Friday. "You've set a very high bar for American fraternities and university students as a whole. In the face of tumult, danger and hatred, the young men of Pi Kappa Phi set a clear example of American patriotism and stewardship. Thank you!"