Senator Jim Webb Files Bill To Ensure
Families Can Fly Military Service Flags
by Bill Bartel
The Virginian-Pilot
June 12, 2010
A seasoned combat veteran is joining the fight against neighborhood associations that try to block families from flying Blue Star or Gold Star service flags when relatives are serving in the armed forces during times of conflict.
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb introduced a bill this week that would prohibit any condominium, housing cooperative or residential association from stopping the flying of the special flags, which is authorized by the Department of Defense. Webb's bill is similar to a House bill - the Blue Star/Gold Star Act of 2010 - that passed that chamber last month without objection.
The House bill was sparked by an incident last year in Ohio in which Marlene Gano was asked by her condo association to take down a Blue Star flag. She displayed it in her window to honor her son who served in Iraq in 1991 and 2003. He was wounded twice.
A Blue Star flag is flown when a family member is serving in the military. A Gold Star signifies that a family member was killed in combat.
"This legislation creates reasonable legal protections to ensure military families can honor their loved ones' service no matter where they live," said Webb, a decorated Marine who was wounded in the Vietnam War.
Webb and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, both Virginia Democrats, became involved last December in a similar dispute in Richmond when a World War II veteran was ordered by his neighborhood association to take down a U.S. flag that he displayed on a 21-foot pole in his front yard.
Association officials initially threatened court action against retired Army Col. Van. T. Barfoot, a Medal of Honor recipient, but later dropped their demand after being contacted by the senators.
