Just months after returning from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, U.S. Army National Guard veteran Tyler Barge was embroiled in another fight defending the American flag. This time, it involves the management of his Salem, Va. apartment complex.
A small American flag, displayed in a cup of dirt on his patio wall, is a violation of the building’s code, he was told.
Barge received a notice informing him he must remove the flag, along with a few other items – a broom and table, for instance – deemed inappropriate.
“We need your help to keep our community one of the best in Salem,” the notice read, giving Barge several days to remove the offending items. A list inexcusably included a veteran’s American flag.
“I like to keep a flag on display in honor of those who have died fighting for our freedom,” he said in an interview. He went on to say he “saw the flag flying in Afghanistan; it’d be nice to see it flying here, too.”
While I understand the necessity of apartment complex codes designed to maintain a clutter-free exterior, it is almost unfathomable a small flag would be seen as anything but an affirmation of one’s honor for his or her country.
Unfortunately, today’s America includes individuals who seem to include catering to fringe groups and trashing traditional patriotism among the greatest of virtues.
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THEY CAN SHOVE IT WHERE THE SUN DOESN’T SHINE !!!!
THEY ARE UN AMERICAN IF THEY CAN’T STAND TO LOOK AT OUR FLAG !!! EVERYONE SHOULD MOVE FROM THAT PLACE !!!
The Manager of this apartment complex is violating this tenant’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech/freedom of expression. Flying his flag is his freedom of showing his patriotism to his country. He has every God-given right to do it. He should find a good lawyer and fight it in court.
Sorry, where is this manager’s name, address, and phone number? Didn’t reporters used to learn the “Four Ws” or something? As long as jerks can pull this cr*p and remain unidentified, why do you expect them to stop? Why is his identity being protected? Is the manager under 18? Or, if he/she isn’t a rape victim already, well…….
Just when you think the Neo-Communist/Liberals have hit bottom they break out the shovels and start digging. I reckon they have about 7,500 miles to go before they get to their much beloved Communist China.
ONLY a brain-washed, ignorant, selfish Liberal would consider a small American flag to be – CLUTTER.
I would put up a Mexican,Russian, Chinese flag or swastika and it would probably be ok!
Put up the Muslim Brotherhood flag. They would not DARE tell him to take that down!
you are so right and any one that said anything against it would be told they have the constitutional right to do so libtards
I’d tell that idiot of an apartment manager that he knows where he can put that notice, oh I’d remove everything on that list except for Old Glory. If he continued to complain I’d start looking for a lawyer, hopefully find one that wouldn’t charge me an arm and leg, and sue the idiot for infringing on my 1st Amendment rights. I’d take him and the apartment complex for every dime they had and just for spite I’d add on that I could live there for the rest of my life rent free alone with their normal duties of maintaining everything that an apartment managers would normally do free of charge.
I swore to uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies FOREIGN and DOMESTIC back in 1963 when I enlisted into the US Army and along with that oath it took it upon myself to also the right of people to be stupid as long as it doesn’t intrude upon my rights. I’ll go to my grave defending those rights alone with those that can’t defend themselves and those that won’t.
US COMBAT VETERAN: Vietnam ’68 – ’69; Door Gunner, 1st Cavalry Division (AM) and a retired USAF TSgt.
I would just let the manager take me to court and stand on the first amendment and the judge would have to throw it out
Don’t be too sure. There are so many blatantly anti-Constitution Leftist “Judges” out there that it makes your Law Book spin. People all over the country are losing court cases that they should easily win. The Left has been salting our legal system with them for a long time.
Tyler: I think that Desert Fox is on the right path here. Time to stand and fight once again! As a decorated combat veteran of two wars and multiple combat ops, I am with you in mind and spirit. If this nonsense continues, then there are higher ups than this manager that you can appeal to. If they don’t have an American Flag flying in front of their apt complex, then you might suggest that too so EVERYONE can see it. There is no “chain of command” that you have to follow now that you are home. Once a lawyer sends them a letter, especially in a blue “overcoat” it will get their attention forthwith. Most lawyers will send a letter of intent for a small fee, I would think. I also think you should find a good JEWISH lawyer that is well known in Salem and will tie them up in knots financially for a long time. GOOD luck in your new adventure ! and I hope that it is VERY profitable for you! :>))
It would be great to have an email address so that people could bomb bard them with our feelings about this. A mail address with a person to “care of”. I’m a veteran and I be damned if I would remove that flag. If there were other veterans living there then they too should put up a flag. What is wrong with America today? I’d love to deport the idiot or idiots if I had the power. Then, I wonder how long before they’d cling to that flag. America….the home of the insane.
Barge said he received a notice from Riverwalk Apartments in Salem, Va.
1650 Lancing Dr. #55
Salem, VA 24153
Office Phone: 540-389-0209
Fax: 540-389-4495
Thank you Marierou. I appreciate your come back. NOW……..LET’S GET THEM.