Flag Waving Florida Veteran Could Lose Home

Old Glory isn’t welcome in Jacksonville’s Sweetwater community.

That’s the message 73-year-old Larry Murphree has received from his homeowner’s association. The group says a small flag placed in a flowerpot outside his home is an “unauthorized object,” according to Fox News Insider. The group began fining Murphree $100 a day for the violation. Charges now total about $8,000.

“I want it to go away,” Murphree told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It's such a minor little thing and they keep coming after me.”

And, come after them they have. The association is threatening to move into foreclosure proceedings if Murphree doesn’t pay up, Fox News Insider reported.

The battle between Murphree and the homeowners’ association has been going on for quite some time, First Coast News reported. In June 2013, he filed a federal court lawsuit to defend his right to put stars and stripes in a flowerpot. That suit was dismissed and deferred to state court.

As it stands right now, Murphree is being charged $100 a day in fines for keeping the flag intact, First Coast News said.

Legal expert Dale Carson told Action News Jax, Murphree has a leg to stand on in this case.

“There’s an actual Florida statute that says he can display this flag,” Carson is quoted as saying.

HOA attorney Michelle Haines sees it differently. She's been quoted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as saying Murphree has about 30 days to pay up or the association can move ahead with legal proceedings to foreclose.

What are your thoughts on this? Should Murphree be able to display his flag? Tell us by commenting below!