Flag controversy
In December 2009, the homeowners' association (HOA) of the Sussex Square, where Barfoot lives in Henrico County, Virginia, ordered him to remove the flagpole from which he flies the American flag. This news story first became public when Barfoot's son-in-law reported the story on local talk radio show, Elliot in the Morning. The news story was soon picked up by Fox News and followed by several other national news networks. The HOA retained Coates & Davenport to help enforce their order.[8] The association's bylaws do not forbid flagpoles, but the HOA ruled Barfoot, aged 90, would not be allowed to use it "for aesthetic reasons." Barfoot contested the order,[9][10] and received support from politicians, including Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb, and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.[11] Barfoot won when the association dropped its request on December 8, 2009, effectively ending the controversy.[12][13]
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