McLean Couple Fights Condo Board for Right to Fly American Flag

It seems like a simple thing, flying an American flag to show your patriotism, but across the country, homeowner associations have rules that residents agree to follow.

But in some places, like Jacksonville, Fla., a veteran is at odds with his homeowner association and is being asked to pay an $8,000 fine over a fight to fly Old Glory in his front yard.

And in McLean, Debbie Sunga and her fiance U.S. Marine Paolo Advincula, are fighting their HOA at The Rotunda condominium building, where they've been told to take down an American flag and a Marine flag, according to a report by WTOP.

They're not taking the news sitting down. They've started a petition and are gathering signatures on change.org: "Let Us Fly the American Flag" and Sunga hopes to deliver it to the condo association meeting in July.

So far, the petition has 25 supporters and more may be on the way. Sunga says that Advincula is being interviewed Friday by WUSA-9, a DC TV station.


Here's the petition:

Schools display it…

Businesses display it…

Even some churches display it. ..

It’s the American flag.

THE unifying symbol of the United States of America. 

A symbol that all Americans – no matter what color, creed, or ethnic background – pledge their allegiance to.  

I have one sitting on top of the bookcase in my office right now.

It’s my constitutional right—and my unerring patriotism—to display it.

Yet, in many condominium associations this right is being taken away from residents.

Like at the Rotonda Condos at Greensboro Drive in McLean Virginia.

My fiancé, a Marine Corps. veteran, was just asked to take down the American flag (and his Marine Corps. flag) from our balcony.

When he spoke to the director of security, the director stated that our condo association's bylaws prohibit the flying of any flags-- especially because “this is an international community and residents might be offended.”

You mean residents who live on American soil might be offended at the sight of the American flag?

If there’s anything offensive, it’s asking a combat veteran…a law abiding citizen…a proud American…to take the American flag down.

We live in Virginia:

The same state where the first American settlement was founded;

The same state that has been dubbed “the birthplace of a nation;”

The same state that sits right next to our Nation’s Capital and houses the CIA and Quantico;

 On January 3rd 2006, the United States Congress passed an important Act that hits at our constitutional right for “freedom of speech.” It’s called “The Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005.”

The Act states: that a condominium, cooperative or residential real estate management association may not adopt or enforce any policy or enter into any agreement that would restrict or prevent a member from displaying the flag of the United States.

Clause: this act does, however, contain limitations to protect condominium associations in some instances.

Many of us take this constitutional right – this legally bound law—for granted until it’s taken away.

Please sign this petition and help us fly the American flag—not just on the 4th of July; not just on Veterans Day; but on every day of the year.

 Freedom to Display the American Flag Act