You seem to imply that substance is more important than appearance. You are behind the times. You simply cannot celebrate the flag or those that have given so much to defend it if it is not "aesthetically appropriate".The type of patriotism that allows a person to purchase a $200 flagpole, a $60 flag of his own free will and money to fly that flag when he sees fit, while he donates as much as he can to St Judes Childrens Hospital.
http://action.afa.net/Blogs/BlogPost.aspx?id=21474 90020
Code: Select all
Colonel Van Barfoot, who is 90-years-old and a World War II veteran, has been ordered by a Richmond, VA, homeowner's association to remove his flagpole by today's date.
Barfoot lives in western Henrico County in the Sussex Square community, where he moved in July, and has been ordered to remove his flagpole on two previous occasions, Labor Day and Veteran's Day.
The homeowner's association doesn't explicitly forbid flagpoles but they must be "aesthetically appropriate". Short flags are allowed on porches, but Barfoot says that's not the way he was raised to respect the flag.
"First of all, it's not dignified, and it shows you got it in the half mast position... you can walk around here and I'll bet you the American flag is hanging out in the rain, nobody ever checks it", says Barfoot.
Family members say he's the most decorated American combat veteran alive. Barfoot has been awared more than 20 medals, including the Medal of Honor, The Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, The Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts.
Barfoot was wounded in combat three times, and fought in WWII and Vietnam.
A lot of people are in support of Barfoot, including Senator Mark Warner, who said he's "outraged" that the neighborhood association wants Barfoot to take down the flagpole. In fact, Barfoot says he will take the issue to court for the right to display his flag as he desires.