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Flag ripped down at soldier's home
Fox 13 ^ | Monday, 28 May 2007, | Fox 13

Posted on 05/29/2007 3:13:02 PM PDT by Fawn

TAMPA - Infantryman Brandon Davis left the Florida Army National Guard with his uniform, a lot of pride in his country, and a band of friends who are more like brothers.

"I have brothers there who are losing their lives every day, you know I spent some time in the Army, it just means a lot to me. It's Memorial Day," Davis said in an interview Monday.

Naturally, he decided to really honor the U.S.A. this Memorial Day. So, the 23-year-old hung a little flag outside his door.

"You know, it's a hand flag," Davis explained. "20 minutes later, the flag is gone. So I'm trying to figure out where my flag went, I go down to the security shack, and the security guard, he has my flag."

"They were very hostile and I tried to approach them in a nice way, but they weren't working with me at all," Davis continued. "They didn't want to give me back my flag."

He said he did get it back, and he put it up again. Later, though, he described what he claims he came home to: the flag tossed to the ground, broken in two. And two fines on his door from Parkcrest Condominiums for hanging the flag out twice.

"I was furious. There's no way to explain it," Davis said. "I don't know what's going on. It's Memorial Day and we're at war, there's just no respect."

Davis said he understood he's not technically allowed to put anything outside his door. He pays $550 each month to the Homeowners Association at the Harbour Island building. 

The condo board has specifically ruled against decorations.

But as a soldier on Memorial Day, he's stunned that building bylaw applies to the American flag, too.

"The flag is a very serious thing. People are losing their lives over it," Davis fumed.

Our nation's code of honor dictates certain protocol in disposing of old, dirtied, or broken flags. One should not throw them away in the garbage can. Rather, they are traditionally burned out of respect.

So, Monday night, the Army National Guardsman spent his evening doing just that - burning his broken American flag.

Davis said the Parkcrest building's management office was closed for the Memorial Day holiday, as is customary with most offices. 

He, nor FOX 13, could reach them by phone for further explanation from the building about the flag flap.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: fl; flag; hoa; oldglory; onthehomefront
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To: Fawn
It appears that the individual developments come under the umbrella of their neighborhood associations, in this case the North Neighborhood Association. Contact info at http://www.harbourislandvoice.com/North-Communities-&-Businesses~27233~10328.htm
21 posted on 05/29/2007 4:07:27 PM PDT by Wil H (In 1492 the overwhelming "Concensus" was that the World was flat - so it's not open to debate)
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To: NonValueAdded

Bookmark


22 posted on 05/29/2007 4:09:59 PM PDT by DocRock (All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52 ... Go ahead, look it up!)
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To: sgtbono2002
There isnt one SOB in that neighborhood who i wopuld want to live next to.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

"Now that's a real intelligent statement."

23 posted on 05/29/2007 4:14:05 PM PDT by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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To: Fawn

Don’t forget, this is a condo. All they own is space.


24 posted on 05/29/2007 4:14:33 PM PDT by Domangart (editor and publisher)
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To: Fawn

He still is entitled to fly the flag every day if he so chooses, as is his right under Florida law, regardless of what Pinch has to say about it.


25 posted on 05/29/2007 4:17:13 PM PDT by NonValueAdded (Fred Thompson in 2008 - there is no doubt about it!)
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To: Fawn

>>Pyburn maintained the citations were issued because the flag was displayed near a light bulb which is a fire hazard.<<

If this “fire hazard” crapola was the real reason for removing the the flag twice (and eventually destroying it), the soldier would have been told so by the security guard from the git-go.

Evidently the condo board not only sets the rules (as one earlier post mentioned), it’s also in charge of concocting CYA-lies.


26 posted on 05/29/2007 4:17:15 PM PDT by KingSnorky
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To: Fawn

Thanks.

The security guard needs to get an new job.


27 posted on 05/29/2007 4:18:06 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: Fawn

I knew it was going to be Florida. Terrorists love Florida. I would NOT live any place where they would tell me I can’t fly the American flag.


28 posted on 05/29/2007 4:18:49 PM PDT by tutstar (Baptist Ping list - freepmail me to get on or off.)
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To: DarthVader
“The HOA staff requires adjustment!”

Something to the effect of “I find your lack of faith disturbing...” as neck bones start to crackle.

29 posted on 05/29/2007 4:20:38 PM PDT by Old Student (We have a name for the people who think indiscriminate killing is fine. They're called "The Bad Guys)
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To: Fawn

I am currently going to truckdriver school to become a school bus driver. The lead instructor of this class at the college is a Vietnam Veteran. This morning on my way to school I saw a standard issue flag in the road being run over. I pulled over, practically got run over, but picked up the mangled shredded flag. It bothered me so much it was in the road getting run over. I’m sure it just flew off someone’s house, but still. I took the flag into class and asked how to proceed. Being the child of a veteran, I knew I should do SOMETHING to the flag. He made me so proud. He stopped class about 30 minutes early to have a proper flag burning ceremony with all the vets there (several in class and instructors) standing at full attention and saluting. Truckdrivers (all instructors are retired long haulers) may have foul language and be rough around the edges, but they certainly have class if you ask me!


30 posted on 05/29/2007 4:25:15 PM PDT by Southerngl (TEAM DANNIELYNN Longstanding member of the FIRM)
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To: Fawn

I am calling the realtor who sells at Harbor Island condos.
They are on the Condo website home page.

They would love to see what publicity this got and how no one will want to buy there!

The national Guard Infantryman SHOULD SUE THE CONDO ASSOCIATION FOR MONEY....LOTS OF MONEY!
The condo Board is liable for law suits...half a million should buy him a nice flag!

I would sue just to get the message out!


31 posted on 05/29/2007 4:29:12 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (We need a troop surge in New Orleans and Philly!)
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To: NonValueAdded

BTW...has a Freeper let this Infantryman know about his making the Freeper site???


32 posted on 05/29/2007 4:30:07 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (We need a troop surge in New Orleans and Philly!)
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To: sgtbono2002
"There isn't one SOB in that neighborhood who i would want to live next to."

And according to the report, He (only) pays $550 each month to the Homeowners Association for the privilege!

33 posted on 05/29/2007 4:36:50 PM PDT by norton
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To: NonValueAdded

I did watch, he is a very articulate young man. He stood up for himself very well.


34 posted on 05/29/2007 4:44:53 PM PDT by tioga (Fred Thompson for President.)
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To: Wil H

Thanks, I just sent them an email.


35 posted on 05/29/2007 4:49:03 PM PDT by D Rider
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To: george76

Wouldn’t you know it, the email address does not work!


36 posted on 05/29/2007 4:54:02 PM PDT by D Rider
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To: AmericanMade1776

The bottom line is -you’re a jerk. You must be a little condo board gestapo too.


37 posted on 05/29/2007 4:56:32 PM PDT by bfree (liberalism is the enemy of freedom!!!)
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To: D Rider

The condo likely has a full inbox now ?


38 posted on 05/29/2007 4:59:15 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: Fawn
But as a soldier on Memorial Day, he’s stunned that building bylaw applies to the American flag, too.

I consider willfully disobeying the rules you agreed to, and which were intended to preserve your neighbor’s property value, to be thoroughly dishonorable.
39 posted on 05/29/2007 4:59:36 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney (...and another "Constitution-bot"))
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To: Beelzebubba

Of course, now that I understand the state law. I am on the owner’s side.


40 posted on 05/29/2007 5:02:16 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney (...and another "Constitution-bot"))
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