By Susan Duclos
Ridiculous item of the day, via WPTV:
Days after a Iraq War veteran Gregory Schaffer returned home to his Hypoluxo, Florida home and hoisted an American Flag in his front yard, the Marine received a citation from the Town of Hypoluxo listing the flag as a code violation.
“It’s sad. It’s sad that we have to go through that just to fly a flag,” Schaffer told WPTV.
The 24-year-old veteran said after serving his country, it was imperative to fly the flag in his yard and have others see it as a symbol of pride. Nonetheless, an anonymous neighbor filed a complaint with the town, according to the report.
“It’s disgusting that anybody should have to go through that. I fought for the flag, now I’m paying for the flag,” said Schaffer.
Hypoluxo spokesman Tim Large said the issue is not the flag, but rather that Schaffer needs a permit for the actual flagpole, which is considered a structure.
It will cost Mr. Schaffer $1,000 for a third party contractor to apply for the permit.
A Town of Hypoluxo building department official says the town will try to work with Schaffer to make sure he has every opportunity to fly his flag.
The cowardly "anonymous neighbor" that filed the complaint with the town over the flag, should be ashamed.