Protect Freedom

Today is Freedom Friday. Are you wearing blue in support of our troops? We must be ready and willing to protect freedom at all times and at all levels. Our local governments are just as capable of destroying freedom as our federal government is. An example of this situation happened in the Sussex Square community in western Henrico County near Richmond, VA. Colonel Van Barfoot, a 90-year-old veteran of World War II and the Vietnam War, is fighting for the opportunity to have a flag pole in his yard. His homeowner's association is trying to force him to remove his flag pole. The homeowner's association allows flags on porches and doesn't explicitly forbid flag poles. They insist that any flag pole be "aesthetically appropriate." According to family members, Barfoot is the most decorated American combat veteran alive. He has received more than 20 medals, including three Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Medal of Honor. The homeowner's association gave Barfoot until Friday, December 11, to remove his flag. He has stated that he is willing to go to court if necessary to keep his flag pole. I have often longed for a flag pole from which to fly my flag but continue to fly it from my front deck. I wonder if my homeowner's association has any regulation prohibiting a flag pole. I guess I better check before I start pouring cement! Does your home association allow flag poles?