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.
"Dear Ms Carvell,
I have just read an article describing an incident at Park Crest where a Mr. Brandon Davis, a veteran and a resident, had his American flag in front of his home ripped down - during Memorial Day, no less. As I understand the situation, the Association security personnel not only destroyed his flag but issued two separate citations.
This moves me to ask just exactly what kind of situation does your Association have going there? I have served my country for over 30 years in active duty, including combat, and suffered through the indignities and insults that occurred during the Vietnam War. Have we gone back to that kind of situation in your community?
I would think that Mr. Brandon has earned his country's respect and some degree of honor - not to be treated as some sort of criminal by his homeowner's association.
Has anyone offered to replace Mr. Brandon' flag? Has anyone apologized to Mr. Brandon?
Please understand that I have been in the market for a place to retire - but I will not look in your community's direction while you such unpatriotic and unmannered policies in force.
Sincerely,"
I don't expect an answer but this anti-American stuff has got to stop.
Glad you self-corrected and also glad I noticed you did before you received my broadside.
Does the Easter Bunny scare you too?
I think its a shame pyburn doesnt post his face a little closer to Davis's fist!
An Old link on thier website maybe:
(TCP|206.46.252.40|58339|64.29.145.105|25) Diagnostic-code: smtp;550 5.1.1 ... User unknown
The American flag is NOT a decoration!
And as only decorations are not allowed outside the door... and that the American flag is not a decoration... it is allowed.
Great letter. Hopefully someone in that group has a conscience. They.... at least...owe him a flag...
“Christmas trees are a fire hazard, and they’re dirty. And no one can hang anything on their doors or balconies without permission.
“The bottom line is, the board sets the rules”.
I recall hearing somewhere about a group of guys who in 1776 got tired of having to ask permission of the British king in order to do things like settle beyond the Appalachians or trade with foreign nations.
Even though the bottom line was that the king sets the rules.
Tell me, were you able to pick the screen name “AmericanMade1776” with a straight face?
The bottom line is, the board sets the rules.
Americanmade 1776 says it all,,,then came Lincoln...,,,Socialists,,Commies,,Lefties,People who do jobs Americans won’t do,,Long Live The Attitude Of The South..!!!,,,We seem to know what this Country is really about...
The bottom line is, the board sets the rules.
Americanmade 1776 says it all,,,then came Lincoln...,,,Socialists,,Commies,,Lefties,People who do jobs Americans won’t do,,Long Live The Attitude Of The South..!!!,,,We seem to know what this Country is really about...
Sorry Folks,,slow machine today...
Thanks for the God Bless America goose bump moment......and God bless our truck drivers......be safe
If you get the address pass it onto me, okay? Because the flag isn’t a decoration! Maybe I’ll try to find it, and if I do I’ll pass it on. The nerve of these people! I hope he doesn’t pay the fines!
Good deal! Hope he goes and gets ‘em! If I knew his address I’d send him a flag!
Thanks for the post!
Thanks, Doc! Hope their server goes down!
I also called a few long term corporate housing firms that rent to people from there and asked who's their customer base, Jane Fonda?
The key was realizing it was Park Crest, two words. Otherwise there’s not many hits at all.
Good for you! I plan on adding my voice to the growing numbers as you did. While I only served six year on active duty in the Army, and a year in the Guard, I take great umbrage to this disrespect both to Mr. Davis and to our flag.
Thanks for your service!
See post #11. Even though they only own space, the do have rights as to that space.
“I vas only following orders!”
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