A disabled military veteran is risking eviction for the right to fly an American flag off his apartment balcony.
Myles Hoenisch, who is disabled, served in the Army for almost seven years, Fox News reported. He has had the American flag flying from his apartment since mid June. The apartment complex owner, Avana Eastlake Apartments, in Thornton, Colorado, want him to take it down.
The property manager told Hoenisch that he had to take the flag down just before Independence Day, according to a video report from Fox 31.
“Ever since I was a little kid I was always very patriotic,” Hoenisch told Fox 31.
He challenged the property owner about taking down the flag. She responded about why they have a a rule prohibiting flags.
“She replied, ‘Because the American flag makes the property look undesirable,'” Hoenisch said. “We can’t fly the American flag, which makes no damn sense to me.”
Avana Eastlake Apartments gave Fox 31 the following statement.
“We are proud to support our country and the Veterans who have served. Our lease agreement, which all residents sign, prohibits any type of flag displayed from balconies. We often remind residents of this policy and whether it is a college football flag or an American flag, we are required to treat all residents equally.”
“The country itself, and the pride of this country, is not the same as it used to be,” Hoenisch told Fox 31.
He and his wife potentially face eviction and fines for the continued flag display. Their lease ends in December, Fox 31 reported. The couple plans to explore owning their own home afterwards.
According to Myles Hoenisch’s Facebook page, he is the president of Americans Helping Veterans, LLC. He left the Army in 2012.
In his most recent Facebook post, he pledges to continue to fly the flag.
“I WILL FIGHT TILL MY LAST DYING BREATH, ITS MY GODS A ND MY GIVEN FORFATHERS RIGHT TO FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG, TO HONOR ALL OF THOSE THAT DIED PROTECTING THIS COUNTRY AND THE AMERICAN FLAG, ILL BE DAMMED IF I EVER TAKE IT DOWN,” Hoenisch posted on July 11.
Although their are laws that prohibit restriction on flying the American flag, the laws do not apply to tenants in apartments, Denver attorney Parker Semler said via Fox 31.
Hoenisch has already sent out letters to senators, congressmen, local politicians, local businesses, and veterans groups to let them know the ordeal he is facing, according to an earlier Facebook post.
Hoenisch also includes links to other news stories about people who have faced backlash for flying American flags from their apartments. He also explains why he flies his.
“I know some people don’t understand why I am fighting so hard about my right to fly the AMERICAN flag, well I will tell you. This is AMERICA, the AMERICAN flag is our nations colors it represents our countries ideas, our countries core values, what our county was built on, our freedom, its why so many people from other countries want to come here,” he writes in another Facebook post.
