New Bill Gives Military Families Right to Fly Flag

A 90 year-old Medal of Honor recipient has been granted the right to fly his American flag from a flagpole he installed outside of his home last year.

Colonel Van T. Barfoot battled the Sussex Square homeowner's association for months over the flagpole, which the association said violated the association's policies and needed to be removed. The association even threatened to sue Col. Barfoot if the flag and flagpole were not removed.

Now, thanks to a new bill introduced by Virginia Senator Jim Webb on June 11, Col. Barfoot-and all military families-have greater rights when it comes to the way they display the American Flag. The Blue Star and Gold Star Flag Act of 2010 prohibits residential associations and management groups from displaying the service flag on a resident's own personal property.

"This legislation creates reasonable legal protections to ensure military families can honor their loved ones' service no matter where they live," said Senator Webb, who is a Vietnam War combat veteran and services on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee.

"We thank Senator Webb for pushing this important legislation which protects the families of deployed servicemembers and those who gave their lives for America," said Tom Tarantino, Legislative Associate at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "These families have earned the right to honor the service and sacrifice of their loved ones."

Companion legislation passed House

Companion legislation to Webb's bill (H.R. 2546) was passed by the House of Representatives on June 19. The legislation was introduced to the House of Representatives by Congressman John Boccieri (OH-16).

According to the executive summary of the bill, "H.R. 2546 would prevent a condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association from adopting or enforcing any policy, or entering into any agreement, that would restrict or prevent an association member from displaying a Service Flag on residential property within the association in which such member has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use."

"There should never be an impediment to displaying the Blue Star and Gold Star Banners, whether it is in the window of a house, a business, or in the case of this legislation, a condominium unit," said Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) in his statement of support for the bill. "If anything, we should be promoting greater participation in the Blue Star and Gold Star programs as a way to show appreciation for our troops and our solidarity with their families."

Blue Star and Gold Flag

The Blue and Gold Star flag, or Service flag, is a special flag for family members of Armed Forces personnel who are serving during a time of war or hostilities. The flag features a blue star, set against a white background and surrounded by a red border. Each blue star represents a family member who is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Each gold star represents a family member who died in combat. The flag is authorized by the Department of Defense (DoD).

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