http://www.whas11.com/home/Complex-manager-says-US-Coast-Guard-veteran-cannot-fly-American-flag-outside-apartment-172008301.html Apartment management says veteran cannot display American flag by WHAS11 WHAS11.com Posted on September 30, 2012 at 7:34 PM
Updated yesterday at 9:05 PM (WHAS11) -- A U.S. Coast Guard veteran wants to fly an American flag outside of his Indiana apartment, just north of Seymour, but the complex managers say he's not allowed.
Chris Smith is a Coast Guard veteran. He enlisted after 9/11 and takes a lot of pride in the red, white and blue.
"It represents freedom and the blood…that has been shed so that we can live free and to tell me I can't fly a flag, I just don't understand," Smith said.
The apartment complex where he lives in Columbus, Ind. Is under new management and they say he can't fly it anymore.
"I can’t stand for it, it goes against everything I believe in," Smith said.
It's not just flags residents can't have any "yard art." They say he can only have it in his apartment or within his patio.
"I just want to fly a flag,” Smith said. “I don't understand what the big deal is?"
Smith says he'll abide by the rules but won't stop fighting to fly the stars and stripes.
Smith has started a Facebook group, called Keep it Flying, to gain support for change.
Click here to see or join the Facebook group.The new complex owners say the yard rules are consistent with what is already in the current leases.
