By Todd Beamon

July 1, 2014

A Florida man who may lose his home for displaying an American flag outside it has received support from two of the Sunshine State’s Republicans in Congress. “When did we relinquish our common sense as citizens in this country?” Rep. Gus Bilirakis, vice chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, asked The Hill. Bilirakis is backing Larry Murphree, 73, who is facing foreclosure of his Jacksonville condominium this month because he has refused to pay $8,000 in fines for hanging a small flag in a flower pot on his front porch, the Hill reports. The flag violates the rules of the community’s homeowners’ association.”It is absurd that a veteran who wants to display his love of country is being punished. It is even more preposterous that he could lose his home,” Bilirakis said. “The homeowners association should do the right thing and waive the fees and let Mr. Murphree exercise his First Amendment rights.” Rep. Ander Crenshaw, who represents the district in which Murphree lives, called him a “true patriot.”

“Larry Murphree’s dedication to country in the Vietnam War and his fight to fly the American flag today is the story of a true patriot, and I commend him,” Crenshaw told The Hill.  Read more: