HOA WON’T ALLOW VET TO FLY AMERICAN FLAG

WAXAHACHIE – Marty Hiles stands in his front yard and sees a symbol of unity waving in the Texas afternoon breeze.

The 70-year-old retired Marine and veteran of the Vietnam War holds his ground as he defends the flag he fought for, and Betsy Ross fashioned, for the American Revolution – 13 stars and 13 stripes.

Why is this venerable Marine on the defense? 

He received a letter from The Arbor of Walnut Grove HOA citing a “Violation: Flag Display.” 

The HOA Article E.15. stated, “A displayed flag must be in good condition at all times. 

“No aspect of a flag, flagpole and mounting apparatus may be unsightly, controversial, or offensive in the eyes of the Board... “Please remedy this situation in the next 14 days if you have not already done so.” 

And, “Thank you in advance for your cooperation.”

This is the essence of the violation notice Hiles received from his HOA – and the veteran is not going to cooperate. 

“If I take my flag down, it’s the beginning of the end,” said Hiles.

He said his Betsy Ross flag had been flying for two months before he received the notice. 

He is unsure of the origins, but wants whoever brought the complaint to know he’s not backing down from the fight, and that “Hell’s coming.”

Hiles has started a GoFundMe page for financial assistance with any fines that may arise, and for attorney fees should he decide to escalate the fight beyond the HOA board, on which he actually serves as a board member. 

He has heard from two attorneys willing to speak with him about his case.

The wounded veteran said he felt as though the country was in disunity, and found the Betsy Ross flag as the ultimate sign of unity, thus raising the historic reminder.

There was an emergency meeting held by the HOA board regarding Hiles’s 13 stars flag on Friday June 19. 

Hiles asked, “There are 39 American flags that have flown – exactly which one is not offensive?” 

Although there was no vote, the result was a temporary agreement amongst the board authorizing the flying of “American flags, historical American flags, Texas flags, historical Texas flags and military flags.” 

The HOA responded to The Ellis County Press with the following statement: “The association manager received a call from a board member stating they received complaints from a homeowner(s) in The Arbor of Walnut Grove HOA about the above referenced flag being offensive. 

“As standard procedure, the manager reviewed the HOA documents and, as per Article E. 15, sent the notification to the homeowner.

“The board has since decided to not enforce the flag rule, and therefore no more notices will be sent on this matter until we receive instruction from the board of directors otherwise.

“I am sorry, but we are not at liberty to give specifics on any homeowners in the communities Goddard Management LLC manages,” signed Donna Cole, corporate manager

The 2011 Texas legislature executed a change involving HOAs restricting the flying of “Old Glory” in the Texas Property Code Section 202.011. This code limits an HOA’s ability to inhibit the flying of the American flag, as well as other legal flags.

Hiles has plenty of back-up, with hundreds of calls, emails, messages and surrounding neighbors. 

His neighbors are even asking where they can get their own Betsy Ross flag to fly. 

“There will be no compromise on the American flag. It will stay on the pole until I decide to take it down,” said Hiles.

“We cannot back down, and cannot give in.”

It’s safe to assume Hiles is calling on all patriots, not only to stand with him for his cause, but for the cause of America.

Many patriots are finding complacency is no longer an option, and they must stand and fight. This fight to veterans, like Hiles, is ongoing to preserve the country they defended. For some, though, this battle is new and unprecedented. 

The permutation and sanitization of American society has been bellowing for decades. Many stake the claim the silent majority can no longer be silent, and Marty Hiles is screaming from his rooftop, “Come and take it!”