Vietnam War Veteran Wins Fight to Fly American Flag on Front Lawn

A retired U.S. Army chaplain has won his fight to fly the American flag on a flagpole on his front lawn, ABC News reports.

Fred Quigley, 77, of Macedonia, Ohio, a minister who served active duty during the Vietnam War, had been told by the homeowners’ association that his flagpole violates the property rules.

The HOA rules state that a flag can only be displayed if affixed to the home, but that would mean Quigley would have to remove the flagpole and put up a smaller flag.

Now that fight is over. The association has decided to let Quigley run Old Glory up his flagpole. The decision came in the form of a letter hand-delivered to Quigley last week, according to the station.

The vet's troubles began last year, when he moved into the retirement community and erected a standard 15-foot tall flagpole from which to fly a standard U.S. flag, 3 feet by 5 feet. The pole put him at odds with association rules and with association manager Joseph Migliorini.

Migliorini said it was fine for Quigley to fly his flag, just not from a pole. To be in compliance with association rules, he said, Quigley and every other owner had to use a short stanchion attached directly to the house.

Quigley's fight was buoyed by an outpouring of popular support. Sympathetic fellow citizens in the U.S. rallied to his cause, but people all around the world took his side. His plight got worldwide coverage. He heard from supporters in London and in India. "I've gotten calls from Macedonia," the surprised retiree said. "I don't mean from Macedonia, Ohio. I mean from Macedonia."

According to ABC News, the American Legion will return to Quigley’s home on July 4 at 11 a.m. to conduct a second flag-raising. "We expect quite a large turnout," Legion commander John J.C. Sullivan said. "A lady called from California who's a singer of patriotic songs. She'll be there [to] sing."