Veteran wins HOA dispute over American flag decoration

A U.S. Vietnam veteran will be allowed to display his patriotism after winning a dispute with a  homeowners' association over an American flag decoration on his mailbox.

Retired Navy Cmdr. John Ackert, 82, of Tallahassee, Florida, told WCTV-TV that he received a letter from Southwood Residential Community Association at the end of July insisting he take the American flag wrap off of his mailbox.

"They said my flag mailbox ‘devalues the aesthetic value of the homes in the neighborhood,’" Ackert told the Washington Post.

"As the holiday season comes to a close, please remove the American flag mailbox wrap. Decoration may be displayed 30 days prior and must be taken down 15 days after," the letter said, according to Ackert.

But Ackert contended that his mailbox decoration wasn't Independence Day-related, instead it has been a longtime staple of the neighborhood.

"That’s been there for four years. It was put there 30 days after I moved into this house," he told WCTV.

"I view this as a form of bullying, to be honest. And I think people should stand up to bullying of any form, and particularly this," Ackert said.

Neighbors agreed.

"The man’s a veteran, he served the country. It's just a mailbox with a flag, I don't think it's right. He owns the house, he can at least have that," said Mike Patel, one of Ackert's neighbors.

After appealing the association's request and gearing up for a long fight, Ackert said he was informed Monday that the HOA's Covenants Committee had decided in his favor and that the rules have now been changed to allow American flag mailbox wraps.

Southwood Residential Community Association did not immediately return a request for comment from TheBlaze.