CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - Residents in a Cherokee County neighborhood are outraged after they said their homeowners' association imposed limitations to the flying of the American Flag by residents. On Thursday, the community put up even more flags.
"You don't mess with my flag," Tom Wilder said.
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Wilder spent six years in the U.S. Navy. The flag he fought to defend flies proudly outside his home in the Village at Towne Lake. Recently, Wilder and every other resident in the community received an email from the HOA limiting the number of days the American Flag can be displayed outside their homes.
"They are giving us 23 days to display it," Wilder said. "Now we won't be able to even put it in the ground. It has to be in a flag holder attached to our houses."
Wilder told FOX 5 News the days the HOA chose are basically holidays, but Father's Day did not make the list.
"We should be able to put up the flag anytime we want," Wilder said.
Neighbor Pete Rockett, also a veteran agreed.
"To me, you're basically saying it's a Christmas decoration," Rockett said.
Residents showed FOX 5 News the email they said the HOA sent them. It reads in part: "These guidelines help maintain the aesthetic and architectural theme of the community..."
The veterans said they will not be taking down the flag.
"I don't think I would be able to look at myself in the mirror," Rockett said.
FOX 5 News reached out the HOA via email and phone, but did not hear back.