TROUTMAN, N.C. — For veteran Andrew Smith, the U.S. Army and American flags outside his home aren’t just for decoration. He says they represent his country and his service.
“I’ve always been proud to fly flags,” he said. “The last house that we lived at, I actually had a 30-foot flagpole.”
Smith told Channel 9 he moved to the Falls Cove II Community in Troutman last month. When he went to pay his HOA dues a few weeks ago, he said he saw a compliance violation notice on his portal.
“It says, ‘Please remove secondary flag from property, as only the American flag is permitted. Thanks,’” said Smith.
It looked like he responded that the other flag is a U.S. Army flag.
The management company for the Falls Cove II HOA told us it allows residents to fly one 3-by-5-foot flag from each home. The association says the issue isn’t the type of flag, it’s the number being displayed.
“The way I look at it, you can’t have one without the other,” Smith said. “The colors of that flag represent everything that military and first responders stand for in this country.”
There’s a law in North Carolina that allows homeowners in Union County to fly military and first responder flags, unless their HOA specifically restricts them.
Smith believes that rule should extend to the entire country.
“I reached out to my congressman, the senator, the attorney general of the state, and President Trump because I feel like this is something that is bigger than me and this HOA,” he said.
Smith still loves his home. He hopes his two flags can stay right there with him.
“If that’s something that they can’t make permanent, I think it should be at least for this year, America 250,” Smith said.
Amanda Race with military suicide prevention nonprofit Let’s Talk Strength, Inc. told WSOC she sees a difference in how generations of veterans publicly express their service. She says Vietnam and Korean War veterans may be more likely to wear their service on a shirt or hat, while younger veterans can be less vocal about their military experience.
“We find that their flag is one of the only ways that they’re outwardly showing their pride in their service,” said Race. “And it also gives them a way to show other people that they are a veteran.”
Action 9 attorney Jason Stoogenke comes across HOA questions often. He points out it can be hard to win a fight with your board. After all, you agree to live by their rules when you move into the neighborhood.
He says if you have an issue:
- Try to get the support of your neighbors. Strength in numbers.
- Try meeting with the board as a group, not by yourself.
- Consider consulting a lawyer. Just know it may cost you.