Disabled Vet told to remove USMC stickers from vehicle

[festus]

DALLAS - Frank Larison is a disabled veteran with more than 14 years of service, including more than a year of combat duty in Vietnam.

The 58-year-old former Marine now finds himself under attack by his Dallas homeowners association for displaying seven decals on his vehicle supporting the Marine Corps.
HOA Asks Vet to Remove Bumper Stickers
"To me, it's being patriotic, and it shows that I served," the veteran told FOX 4.

The board says the decals are advertisements that violate HOA rules, and must be covered or removed.

Otherwise, the homeowners association for The Woodlands II on The Creek --- where Larimore has lived for eight years --- says in a letter it will tow the car at Larimore's expense. The board also threatens to fine him $50 for any future incident.

Larimore says the decals, ranging from the Marine emblem to Semper Fi slogans, aren't advertisements for anything. "You can't buy freedom," he reasoned.

Some neighbors are outraged.

"That is his identity," said neighbor Mary Castagna. "He goes to a lot of the veteran meetings, and it means a lot to him. Everyone else agrees with it; it doesn't bother anybody."

"He's in the Marines, and he's proud of it, and I don't blame him," said neighbor Paul Hardy. "If I'd gone through what he's gone through, I'd be kind of proud of it myself."

The letter from the board states you can't have any form of advertisement anywhere on your car on your property. FOX 4 cameras spotted bumper stickers for political parties, health causes, and other non-commercial interests on the property as well.

One board member said he was unaware the HOA presidents sent the letter and did not know of any issue with Larimore's vehicle.

"I will be looking into it," said board member Art Bradford. "I didn't know anything about this. I haven't seen this."

The board president was out of town and unavailable. The condo management company did not want to comment.

[HK4U]

Is insanity the rule of the day?

[CathyInBlue]

You don't have to be crazy to have authority over others in America, but it definitely improves the likelihood that you will.

[spydrz]

No advertising at all? So license plate frames from the dealer are also illegal?

[Hallow]

I absolutely hate Condo Commandos. I'm living in a condo right now where there's an association (although there's only 8 units) and the President is a HUGE a-hole. I've gotten into it with her so many times about mundane stuff and it turns out that she lets the others who live in the building do it.

Regardless, his situation is ABOVE and BEYOND what's happening with me. I'm borderline thinking of suing for discrimination but in his case, he's got a much more stronger case than I do.

Best of luck to him.

[gdcleanfun]

...and if someone has a satelite TV service with a name in the antenna then it's illegal advertising, or a license plate frame on the car, or windows with name brands showing in the wall of the house, or holiday lights with a name on them, or a cross or holiday tree in the window, or a draidle (sp?) or other ornament on the lawn, or spells out a word with the flowers in the garden or or or...! What a crock!

[HK4U]

The story was on our news here tonight and a lot of people called in really ticked off. Guess we need to contact the Home owners asssciation and let them knbow how we feel. First the lady with the American flag and now this. It is getting out of hand.

[Scarecrow]

how freakin rediculous. stupid people in this country are pissing me off. this is a reason our country is in so much trouble... it's no longer "allowed" to be a patriot.

[Stiofan]

I had to deal with so many of these Condo boards when I owned my insurance agency and had the associations insured. Dealing with them was almost always a nightmare. Little people who suddenly have control over other's lives...bah. I hope they follow up and he sues the crap out of them for violating his freedom of speech.

[CathyInBlue]

The regulation against advertizing is only with the advertizing is on an automobile parked on premises, so a DBS antenna would not be affected.

I saw the story on Fox and they said the President of the HOA was away for the week and could not be contacted. They showed lots of other cars just within range of the Good Marine's minivan and there were breast cancer ribbons and American flags and Obama/Biden bumper stickers let's see them threaten to tow any of those vehicles for having advertizing on their cars..