HOUSTON, TEXAS -- He spent years defending the American flag as a Marine.
Now, a Houston area veteran has to fight his own Homeowners Association for, of all things, the "right" to fly that flag.
You can't question Michael Merola's love for his country.
"By flying this flag, it shows my respect and honor to this country for those of us who have served before," said Merola.
And you can't question this veteran's resolve.
"Being a marine, this is a battle i'm willing to fight," he said.
The former Marine says he went through the proper channels to ask for permission to put up a 20 foot flag pole, but permission was denied. He was told it was against the HOA's charter. The HOA said he could attach a small flag pole to his house, but no free standing pole.
"They're sueing me, for 200 dollars a day and lawyers fees and everything," said Merola
He says the Homeowners Association is going too far.
"I just feel the liberties and things are being chipped away at," Merola said.
So, what do the neighbors think?
Neighbor Jim King says, "yes, that's not a problem for me. If you can't fly a United States flag in the United States, we're hurting."
An attorney representing the Lakeland Village Community Association says, homeowners here are encouraged to display american flags, if they want to, but freestanding flag poles are just not allowed.
The homeowner has his own lawyers now.
They say the HOA is violating the Freedom to fly the American Flag Act of 2005.
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