Take Down The American Flag or Be Fined Robert and Judy Willits moved to Fieldstone Housing Addition in Greenfield, Indiana last Christmas. Robert is a Korean War veteran who was seriously injured in the war and fought alongside his brother Lester, who was never found and never came home. Over the summer, Willits built a flagpole in his front yard so he could proudly display the flag he fought and bled for along with the MIA flag, which he vowed long ago to fly until he finds out what became of his brother. Last month, after finishing his flagpole and proudly flying his flags, Willits received a letter in the mail from his homeowners association telling him he had broken the rules of the association and would have to either take the flagpole down or be fined. The Willits were shocked and outraged. I am not taking it down, Willits said. That flag is for the freedom of every person in here. It represents freedom. Lester is still out there. So Im going to keep it up. His wife, Judy, feels the same way. With the penalties theyve imposed on us, I feel its really un-American for somebody that is a 100% disabled vet, she told local reporters. A group of Hoosier vets demonstrated around the flagpole Monday afternoon to support the Willits familys stand. Willits responded that he wouldnt pay the fine and the flags are staying put. The HOA said they are still deciding what to do if the Willits continue to disobey. Both the Association and the homeowners have hired attorneys. My father is a purple heart veteran of the Korean War. I am a disabled vet of the Vietnam era. Any veteran should be able to proudly fly the American flag however and whenever he or she wants. This is another example of people who have to much time on their hands and seek some kind of dictatorial authority over others in order to make themselves feel important and be a legend in their own minds. Hang in there, Bob! America is with you on this. I am proud of him and his wife for there stand on the American Flag and the POW/MIA Flag. wish I was there to help support you all. they sound like Obama and other Dum asses. Im not even American, but if I lived in America Id hang my flag and Id tell them where to go FU HOA Why would he fly the flag of the US federal government which left POWs in Vietnam. This isnt even blind patriotism because that would be loyalty to the American people and they would demand the government obey us. No, this is blind government-worship fixating on some flag is a sign of low IQ. I would never participate in an HOA. Ever. Many HOAs can put a lean on your home and eventually take it if you dont comply with their rules. I understand some may not have a choice but I will live on the street before someone tells what I can and cant do with my property which is why I built my house on land far away from any neighborhoods to begin with. Regardless, its clear because of so many incidents like this lately its time to protect the flag under the law. I think we all know if it was a flag supporting Islam they would have never said a word. You are just a bad person to even make this an issue let alone keep fighting it. Karma comes around. If HOAS want to take the issue to that level then why stop there, lets go all the way. There should be a law that if ANY HOA violates any civil rights, then they should be considered anti American and its representatives should be fined not more than $2000.00 and or jailed not more than 180 days first offense. Second offense $10,000.00 fine and or 10 yrs in jail and the HOA be dissolved until another HOA can be established that recognizes state and federal laws and civil rights of the USA. With all these immigrants coming here you can expect this B.S. The come here, sponge off our government, and have no loyalty to our country. Mr. Willits, I am a vet too, and this is an insult to our country, and to those who have fought and died for it since the beginning of this country. Theres a flagpole in the front yard of a house I walk by occasionally. It has the American flag, and a Coast Guard flag flying below it. I was n the army, and I salute that flag everytime I walk by, as respect to our country, and to the man who flies it. I thank you for your service, sir, and Im deeply sorry for the loss of your brother. I hope hes alive, well, and that you will be reunited soon. I salute you both. Fuck the hoa, what a bunch of self richeous assholes, leave the guy alone Dont take it down. Every American has the right to fly the American flag! Fuck the HOA !! They are ALL a bunch of cry baby liberal retards. AT NO TIME ANYWHERE in this country should it be against any rule to fly the American flag. Bunch of communist assclowns. Probably some Muslim tard or something of that nature that complained that it offended them. I say GOOD I hope they get offended all the way out of this country. I will help him pay to keep the flag up if he looses , but the HOA is Bull Sh** !! READ ABOUT BECOMING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN!!!!!!!!! NO OTHER FLAG EXCEPT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FLAG SHALL FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mr Willets, My Dad served in WWII, my oldest brother was drafted in the late 60s but never left the States. My Dad, I know is rolling in his grave, for the way you and ALL VETERANS are being treated. He is also rolling in his grave for the way people, INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY THE AMERICAN citizens are treating the FLAG. I THANK YOU AND ALL VETERANS PAST AND PRESENT AND FUTURE FOR KEEPING US FREE. Paint a U.S. flag on the side of his house. We should all get together and inundate that HOA. We can get laws passed to protect the right for Gay and lesbian marriage but we cant protect the flag, the symbol of the country that has given them that right,,,what the hell is this country coming to? As I veteran myself I become more and more outraged at the American people, here is my answer, if you dont like the flag and what it stands for, TAKE YOUR ASS TO ANOTHER COUNTRY AND SEE WHAT RIGHTS YOU GET. I am sick and tired of the HOAs thinking they can bully anyone and anything around. I feel sorry for people who choose to live in them as well.. Whether today with their little committee that wants to tell you how to live your life and what you can do with your OWN home; whether tomorrow after the dung hits the fan and you find that same little committee thinks it is in charge and wants you to disclose and turn over any and all emergency supplies you prepared for the good of all, regardless of the fact they were too stupid to plan themselves for a disaster, these HOAs are really getting out of control on these power trips. They think it raises their property values? They are wrong. Why? Because I and MANY MANY other people will NEVER invest a dime in any place that has a HOA. Which means your so called property value is worth a lot less than if we all were interested in living in that location.. We need to get a law on record to slap all the hoa(s) that wont allow respectful displays of our Flag. Is there anyone that is really offended by the Flag? Stand em up for the rest of us to see! Preferably against a wall, blindfold optional! Youre good man! Just helpin out! *sips coffee in cheers*! Yes any HOA can make covenants of a subdivision that allow or disallow certain things and that includes flying flags. Does that make it right? Absolutely nit. But HOAs exist all over this country that have that specific covenant. The responsibility of a potential homeowner in a HOA subdivision is to read and agree to the covenants. The HOAs can and do file lawsuits and take out property lines against said homeowners if they violate a covenant. I know. I live in a subdivision with a HOA. We have oneits called the First Amendment. Freedom of speech..as in flying our flag. This HOA Board needs a visit from some motor cycle riding vets to put the fear of GOD in them and teach them some patriotism!!! Or do it the old fashioned way with tar and feathers! Donna, there is no HOA that can make a rule that is in conflict with a federal law that says the American flag can be flown anywhere. Interesting to see how long the present administration will attempt another illegal executive order to overturn that law. There already is one, its called The First Amendment I agree he should be able to fly any flag he wants, but if the covenants of the HOA state specifically that you cant have one in your front yard then as a homeowner in that subdivision he needs to abide by the rules and move his flagpole to his backyard. When you buy a home with an HOA you have to sign an agreement letter at closing that states you read them and agree to abide by them. His friends and neighbors should help him move it Lee I think you misread renees comment? o.O There has been an American flag flying on my house everyday day for decades and it will darn well stay there too. Im honored by Mr. and Mrs. Willits and Mr. Willits bother Lester. Thank you for your incredible service and I hope and pray your brother is returned to you someday. Fly high and fly pround to the red, white and blue! It is ignorant people like you renee that are on HOA boards. That is where the real problem is in America. Be honest: how high are you atm? Failure to stop ISIS early? Threatening to be fined because of OUR Flag? Now EBOLA? Get the fuck outta here, And take your lame ass peasant friends with you. Leave our american cars, money and clothes here before you go back to the shit hole you call a home sad that we should even have to consider this. It should NEVER be against the law to fly the American flag ANYWHERE in this country. I would NEVER move into a community or buy a house in one that had any say in what I do with and to my property! There are zoning laws to make sure homes, businesses, churches, and schools stay where they belong. There are trash ordinances to make sure appearances are kept up. Thats enough! I can see they want to make sure the value of their homes doesnt go down, but they get carried away with what they think is unsightly. When they make my payment, they have a right to tell me what to do with it! Until then STFU!!! One should read the rules for flying the Stars and Stripes. Google USA Flag Code. He owns his property and if the lawn area is held in common he is a owner of the lawn area and is entitled to fly the Stars and Stripes in front of his home. Maybe he should consider his legal options. It is my opinion that HOA that vote to demand that the American flag be taken down or the person displaying it be fined, should be taken out and whipped and I mean every member! I will most probably be censored here, but fuck them. how about this, AR|REST OF THE HOA people running it, for violation of the ADA laws, and the first amendment and most important , HIGH TREASON with the death penalty as it final destination then convict them of high treason , give them the death penalty and then carry it out on the court house stepsssssssssssss, THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ANYONE WHO TRYS TO FORCE ANYONE TO TALK DOWN THERE FLAG,,,,,,,,,,,,,, NO MORE OF THIS CRAP TIME TO REMOVE ALL NEW LIBERAL SOCIAL COMMI NAZIIIIIIIIIIIIII DEMM OOO RATTTTTTTTTTT AND THERE OBAMA HITLER JR PRESIDENT everyone should demand justice EVERY ONE SHOULD DEMAND THAT ILLEGAL CRAPPPP GETSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS DONEEEEEEEEE BY THE ARREST TRIAL AND CONVICTION I feel that the president had something to do with this as well , I think it is bullshit and Im glad they are refusing to take down the flag pole and flag. Sorry HOA but Federal Law prohibits you from banning, or fining a tenant for flying the American Flag. The law is on his side as is every other American Veteran! Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 One Hundred Ninth Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, two thousand and six An Act To ensure that the right of an individual to display the flag of the United States on residential property not be abridged. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act (1) the term flag of the United States has the meaning (2) the terms condominium association and cooperative (3) the term residential real estate management (4) the term member (A) as used with respect to a condominium (B) as used with respect to a cooperative (C) as used with respect to a residential real SEC. 3. RIGHT TO DISPLAY THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES. A condominium association, cooperative association, or SEC. 4. LIMITATIONS. Nothing in this Act shall be considered to permit any display or use that is inconsistent with (1) any provision of chapter 1 of title 4, United States (2) any reasonable restriction pertaining to the time, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate. A veteran in Florida just won the same disgraceful action. Found a Federal law that holds up our right to fly our flags anywhere anytime. Hooray dont give up My DAD SERVED IN WWII AND I REMEMBER WAITING BY THE GATE FOR HIM TO COME HOME.NO ONE WOULD HAVE DARED TO SAY HE COULDNT FLY OUR AMERICAN FLAG..MY DAD IS GONE NOW BUT i WILL STAND UP FOR THE AMERICAN FLAG HE FOUGHT FOR AND THE FLAG THAT HAS MEANT FREEDOM FOR SO MANY.I WOULDNT LIVE IN A HOME THAT WOULDNT ALLOW ME TO HONOR OUR FLAG We need a constitutional amendment to.protect flag waivers and Christian monuments. what right have you got to interfear with this vet you really must be some real ignorant trash thats a right in the constitution and thats also a god given right you people need to stop your foolishness and grow up this is america you dont rule all you dont make up laws so back off This shouldnt even be allowed to waste our courts time. This man lost his brother to war and is a 100% disabled veteran..they should be kissing his ass!! Men like him are why pieces of shit even have the right to complain. When it comes to being patriotic to this great country..there should not be any rule that exists to be broken! The lame arguement is always If we allow one flag to fly we have to allow others as well. Bulls**t! No ethnic, other country, state, sports, etc. flags should be permitted to be fair to everyone. The United States of America flag should be flown everywhere, every day, period. No more PC bulls**t! WHAT THE HELL ???? WE HAVE A FLAG THAT HAS REPRESENTED OUR COUNTRY SINCE 1776 !!! AND THESE ASSHOLES WANT TO FIGHT A VETERN WHO WAS INJURED BADLY TO GIVE US THIS RIGHT ??? OH HELL NO !!!! START A PETITION AND LETS SIGN AND SHARE IT ALL OVER FACEBOOK !!!! THIS IS WRONG AND WE SHOLD NOT STAND BY AND LET IT HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN !!! you better let that man keep his flag, he earned it in more ways then one and should be able to keep it for more reasons then one Find out where these anti-American fuck s are and place 1000 flags on their lawn There are so many HOAs across America doing the same to home owners who want to display/fly the American flag. As long as the flag(s) is not shredded, and presented in good taste (as this veteran is doing) the HOA should not be involved. In fact, they should support the veterans. Hopefully the HOA will come to its senses. This is America and there is an inherit right to fly the flag of your own country. 