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Main Page Vet Faces Lawsuit For Flying American Flag
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: kwflatbed

"I don't understand why it would bring down the values of our homes by flying the American flag from a pole in my front yard," homeowner Jimmie Watkins said.

CLERMONT, Fla. -- A Central Florida war veteran faces a lawsuit for flying the American flag in his front yard.

IMAGES: Man Fights To Fly Flag

"I don't understand why it would bring down the values of our homes by flying the American flag from a pole in my front yard," homeowner Jimmie Watkins said.
Watkins and his wife, Ria, received a final notices from the Sussex homeowners' association in Clermont that they must remove the flag or else face legal action.

The former retired U.S. Navy communications officer said he refuses to back down for the American flag.

"Our people are serving today to give us freedom," Watkins said. "To do as we like here within the law of America. It is my right to fly my flag from my pole and until a court of law tells me to haul that down. I will not haul it down. I think about all of the people who have served our nation and all of the lives that it's costs and all of the friends that I've lost."

Local 6 reported that all surrounding subdivisions in Kings Ridge allow a flag pole display in a person's front yard.

Jim Hart, who handles property management for 1,500 properties, including Sussex, said it is the association's call and not his.

"Each sub-association has its own set of documents and they can differ," Hart said. "The rationale for that only exists within the minds of the folks that are doing it. I can't sit here and tell you why."

The homeowner's association is not commenting about their rules. But state law said anyone can display a flag in a "respectful manner" as long as it is removable, Local 6 reported.

http://www.local6.com/news/16399678/detail.html

Posted by: USMCMP5811

This is B.S.

Posted by: rg1283

Its a flag, its not like the Ernie Boch flag, but who cares. I say this to the Homeowner's association who wants to file suit!.

MOVE TO CUBA! Its only 90 miles away, then they will learn to appreciate this country!

Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

Anyone wanna bet if it was a Mex flag or a Cuban flag...this wouldnt be an issue

Posted by: Nighttrain

+1 The only culture that you can't seem to honor is our own.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

Quote:

Sussex homeowners' association in Clermont

Sounds like your typical brie and Chablis set.
"Oh look Muffy, Muffy dear, Mr. Watkins is displaying that dreadful apparatus again."
"My goodness Randolph, you just go and tell him he must remove it at once. Honestly, some people have no appreciation or for others..."

Another reason to be a property owner. Come on my property and ask me to remove my flag and I'll remove your spleen.
Could you imagine having a "Property Association" forcing you, as a veteran no less, to remove your American Flag, IN AMERICA???? WTF PEOPLE!!!

Posted by: 14thWW2

That is sickening.

Posted by: CJIS

This is outrages! If anything It should be mandatory to fly a US Flag in front of your house.

Posted by: Tuna

Quote:

Originally Posted by KozmoKramer

I'm with ya 100% love the spleen thing too.

Posted by: ptldlb

I fly my flag everyday and would not take it down for anyone. I have to get a new POW/MIA which I fly also. The last one wore out .

Posted by: Robert35

Every American has the Right to fly the American Flag. As a Army Vet I along with many other Soliders Fought to protect it and will to my last dying Breath. My Flag is on flown everyday in My yard. God Bless America

Posted by: KozmoKramer

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJIS

This is outrages! If anything It should be mandatory to fly a US Flag in front of your house.

I'm OK with keeping it voluntary (remember mandatory means more government; YIKES!).
I just ask you (in pure Kafkaesque form) don't demand American patriots, ESPECIALLY those who served our nation, and who choose to honor our country to take it down..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

I'm with ya 100% love the spleen thing too.

LOL, great minds Tunes...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptldlb

I fly my flag everyday and would not take it down for anyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert35

Every American has the Right to fly the American Flag.
My Flag is on flown everyday..God Bless America

Ditto on all points friends...

Posted by: CJIS

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptldlb

I fly my flag everyday and would not take it down for anyone. I have to get a new POW/MIA which I fly also. The last one wore out .

Be careful of where it is made. I was in a store the other day and was going to buy a new US flag, and knowing everything is made over seas I checked to see its country of origin. Sure enough it was made in China.

It is bad enough everything else is made there, but this really brought my piss to a boil. Any flag that has relevance to the US should be made in the states period.

It is difficult to find things made here in the states and it's very disappointing.

Posted by: Grasshopper

There is no excuse for this whatsoever! Even if the home were to be within a historical neighborhood. If the first amendment protects setting Old Glory ablaze then he should most definitely be allowed under that same amendment to run it up his own flagpole.

Posted by: Robert35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

There is no excuse for this whatsoever! Even if the home were to be within a historical neighborhood. If the first amendment protects setting Old Glory ablaze then he should most definitely be allowed under that same amendment to run it up his own flagpole.

Fly it high and Fly it Free. What are they going to do Deport you.

Posted by: kwflatbed

Gov. Crist Signs Flag Rights Bill

Navy War Veteran Made National Headlines

CLERMONT, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday signed a bill into law preventing groups in Florida from prohibiting a person from flying a U.S. flag on their property.

IMAGES: Man Fights To Fly Flag

The new law comes a day after a Clermont man -- and Navy war veteran -- made national headlines when Local 6 News reported that his homeowners association threatened to file a lawsuit if he didn't remove a 19-foot flag pole from his front yard.

Crist signed Senate Bill 1378, which states that a group "may not prohibit a person from flying a United States flag on that person's property from a flag pole that does not exceed 20 feet in height."

"I just want to fly the flag," Jimmie Watkins said. "It is really a pleasure that Channel 6 has taken all of this action and helped push all of this through because without you guys, I would be going to court."
The law firm representing the Sussex homeowners association in Clermont talked to Local 6 News in an exclusive interview.

"I think if something is going to happen from Gov. Crist's office, I think it's going to happen fairly quickly. I think that's all I'm willing to say," attorney Frank Ruggieri said prior to Crist signing the bill.

"Our people are serving today to give us freedom to do as we like here within the law of America," Watkins said earlier. "It is my right to fly my flag from my pole and until a court of law tells me to haul that down, I will not haul it down. I think about all of the people who have served our nation and all of the lives that it's cost and all of the friends that I've lost."

Local 6 reported that all surrounding subdivisions -- except Sussex -- in Kings Ridge allow a flag pole display in a person's front yard.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

Previous Story:

May 27, 2008: Vet Faces Lawsuit For Flying American Flag

http://www.local6.com/news/16417579/...orlpn&psp=news

Posted by: dave7336

what the hell is going wrong with this country??? People died so we could have the right to live a free life and this is the way some people show their appreciation. I fly the flag off of my deck at my townhouse every day. I will be dammed if someone tells me to take it down!!!

Posted by: Grasshopper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert35

Fly it high and Fly it Free. What are they going to do Deport you.

AMEN!

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