WWII veteran's family faces eviction over American flag
CLOVIS, CA (KTRK) -- A resident of the Lexington Square Apartments says he and his mom were told they have to remove the American flag flying outside of their apartment. Otherwise they will be evicted.
"This makes me very angry, because this is America," says Joel Semar.
Last week, Semar received a letter from the apartment manager stating because of a complaint, the flag pole must be removed immediately.
"I enjoy watching it fly," Semar says. "It's one of the few pleasures I have left in life."
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For Joel's mom, Deine, watching the flag wave in the wind is a sight which turns back time.
"My husband fought. He was in the military for for years during WWII. He served in France," Deine says.
Joel says managers told him to call the apartment complex's corporate office in Boston.
"They won't let you talk to anybody," Semar says. "You have to put your complaint on a voice mail complaint line and I called four times. Left the same message and I have not heard from them."
Apartment management wouldn't speak about the matter, but hours later, a spokesman from Winn Companies issued a statement.
A spokesman e-mailed us saying, "Our staff personally put the flag back up this afternoon. This incident was the result of an unfortunate misunderstanding. We apologize."
"I came in and my mom told me the manager came and put it out himself," Semar says. "I just went great."
Deine says she is elated.
"Praise God, I thank God for people like you," Deine says. "We are ever so grateful, ever so grateful."
Old Glory will continue to fly proudly for years to come.
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