Comments on: Amended. Medal of Honor recipient denied flagpole by his HOA

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:53:31 +0000

Alan. Are you telling our readers that we cannot fly the “Live Free or Die” flag from N.H?
If you visited La Paz & Marguerite on April 15th you would have noticed several at the TEA Party.

By: Alan Jones

Alan Jones — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:49:29 +0000

Since reference was made to Mission Viejo, California. Let me tell you the rules in force in non-HOA covered areas of the city for a residential flag pole. A flag pole must be within 30 feet of the back of the property but not within 3 feet of the property lines. It can be no more than 12 feet tall. It can only fly 3 flags: USA, California, & city of Mission Viejo. HOAs may impose more restrictions on flag poles.

By: M Chacon

M Chacon — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:15:14 +0000

I certainly hope at least one member of the hoa gets the pink slip over this. what a travesty.

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:12:57 +0000

Great news this morning.
“RICHMOND, Va. (Dec. 9) — A 90-year-old Medal of Honor winner can keep his 21-foot flagpole in his front yard after a homeowners association dropped its request to remove it, a spokesman for Democratic Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Tuesday.”

By: THE PATRIOT

THE PATRIOT — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:28:19 +0000

I’m Col. Benjamin Martin and I support this veteran’s right to fly a flag on his property. In fact, I see no reason to limit his gesture of patriotism to a 30 foot flagpost. I submit that a 30 mile flagpost would be more appropriate.

As NASA confirms the presence of water on the moon and debates the possibility of life on Mars, I can think of no better message to send to alien life than a testament to Col. Van Barfoot’s patriotism. An added benefit to his flagpole would be the possibility of knocking enemy satellites out of orbit with Old Glory, and strategically positioning the flag to protect the continental U.S. from asteroids. Sorry, Alaska. If you’re close enough to Russia that Sarah Palin can see Soviet territory from her backyard, you’re too far away from the Home of the Brave to merit intergalactic protection.

Some of you may question the practicality of this plan. To you I say, re-watch the scene in which I stabbed the evil British Col. Tavington in the gut with the flag. Now imagine that, on a far grander scale, being done to an invading alien armada. I rest my case. SUPPORT FREE SPEECH NOW!!

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:28:53 +0000

Jenn.
While the height of the requested flag pole for the Mission Viejo patriot might have been less than 30 feet I thank you for providing that sizing information.
While we have a pole attachment for our home there is no way for us to display our flag at half mast after a tragic event. That was part of the concerns for the VA veteran.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:25:27 +0000

According to ushistory.org, in an article about correct ways to display the flag, these are the dimensions for flagpoles and flags one should use at their homes:

pole flag
15′ 3′x5′
20′ 3′x5′
25′ 4′x6′

A 30 foot pole doesn’t come into the equation until you start talking about public display.

By: Charles

Charles — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:04:29 +0000

I live in Virginia, so this is in my back yard.

Why does it matter that the man is a decorated war hero? Should rules be applied differently because he served the country admirably? Do we want HOA boards to consider the “value” of the petitioners when deciding if they worthy of having their requests granted?

I say no. There are cases where veterans should get special treatment. But not regarding what improvements they can make to their property. Veterans fought for our way of life, which includes each individual’s personal property rights.

HOA rules are meant to protect the property rights of all the people in the community against the bad acts of one owner. If the rule is wrong, it’s wrong whether the owner is a veteran or a draft-dodging hippie.

I fully expect he’ll be allowed to keep his flagpole. I think both sides could have handled this better — when his request was rejected, he should have appealed or asked how he could make it acceptable. The board should have given him guidelines, and figured out a way to support a reasonable presentation of the flag.

On the other hand, I disagree with the veteran’s belief that displaying the flag on a sloped pole attached to a house is disrespectful, or “flying the flag at half-mast”, which is the reason he gave for needing a flag pole.

There could well be military people serving on the board — a board of people who volunteered for a thankless but necessary task, who are trying to do right for ALL of the neighbors in their community. Agitate for the flagpole — but can’t we do that without demonizing the people who are trying to serve their community?

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:24:55 +0000

Welcome back Stanley. I truly have missed you and your comments. Thank you for your contribution to this thread.
PS: We covered Vaclav Klaus, Czech Republic president, at the Reagan Library last month. Like yourself he appreciates freedom.

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:05:14 +0000

Anonster. The HOA’s can surely come to a compromise so that the flagpole height is reasonable. Read my added comments on the post. Larry

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:04:11 +0000

Thank you Shayne.
Please look at the additonal info that I am about to add to the post. Larry G

By: anon

anon — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:15:07 +0000

Larry,

What you call “abusing the concept”, others might call “freedom of expression”.