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thedrifter
08-07-06, 08:18 AM
Jupiter man prohibited from flying American flag gets hope from new law

By MICHELLE SHELDONE
michelle.sheldone@scripps.com
Posted at 7:29 p.m.
August 1, 2006

JUPITER — A federal flag-flying law that takes effect Monday might help a former Marine who has been fighting for that freedom at his home for years.

George Andres, 69, has spent about 250 days and $70,000 in legal fees and fines since the homeowners association in his Indian Creek subdivision took legal issue with the flagpole in front of his house, he said.

"It wasn't worth it, but it was worth it," Andres said Tuesday, a week after President George Bush signed into law the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005.

"How can somebody sue over a flag?"Andres asked.

The flag-flying law prohibits restrictions on displaying the American flag on residential property and is "an important measure to protect our citizens' right to express their patriotism here at home" during the war overseas, according to a White House statement. It stated that the law also applies to homeowners associations.

"Americans have long flown our flag at their homes as an expression of their appreciation for our freedoms and their pride in our nation," the statement reads.

Andres, a Home Depot electrical salesman, has displayed a flag in front of his home since 1962. He and his wife, Ann, settled into Jupiter's Indian Creek community in 1998. A new homeowners association board the following year told him he could fly the flag only if it were attached to his house, he said.

He tried that — but it violated town codes, he said.

So Andres set his flag back on the pole, left it there and has been to county court 28 times since.

The homeowners association, which did not return telephone calls in time for publication, placed a lien on his property but lost a court attempt to foreclose on the property, he said.

Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist and Gov. Jeb Bush visited with Andres and tried to help. The governor recommended the homeowners association change its bylaws.

Now, Andres is trying to recoup his financial losses. He's hoping the court, at least, will consider the federal flag-flying law.

"Too many people have died protecting that flag," Andres said. "It's a passion that gets into you."

Ellie