Article Courtesy of The Tampa Tribune

By JULIE PACE
Published April 20, 2006

TAMPA - David Kelley left behind a quiet life with his wife when he went to Iraq in November.

The 24-year-old Army private came home Wednesday for a 15-day leave to a much different situation: reporters, television cameras and onlookers waiting to catch the couple's reunion.

That's because while Kelley has been serving in Iraq, his wife, Stacey, has been fighting her own battle to save a "Support Our Troops" sign she placed in the front yard of the couple's Westchase home. The homeowners association of the northwest Hillsborough County neighborhood says the sign violates community deed restrictions and has ordered her to take it down.

Stacey Kelley, 24, has refused to remove the sign, and her fight has received international attention. Comedy Central's mock news program "The Daily Show" is scheduled to air a segment on the flap today.

The dispute was far from her mind as she waited at Tampa International Airport for her husband. She was clutching a "Welcome Home PFC Kelley" sign as he walked into the terminal. She rushed past the cameras and ran to her husband. The couple embraced while a crowd that had gathered applauded.

"I'm tired," David Kelley said. "But I'm out of Iraq, and I'm happy to be here."

It was David Kelley who gave his wife the 2-foot-tall sign before he deployed, asking her to keep it up until he returned. The controversy that resulted was surprising, he said, and has upset many of his fellow soldiers.

"Even if you don't support why we're there, at least support your troops," he said. "That's me and my friends over there."

Kelley said he would be willing to meet with Westchase President Daryl Manning - himself an Iraq war veteran - but isn't sure whether his presence will make a difference.

Regardless of the outcome, Kelley said he's proud of the strength his wife has shown.

"I told her, 'As long as you can handle it, do what you can do,'" he said.

Tampa lawyer Luke Lirot is representing Stacey Kelley pro bono. He said the homeowners association is violating her First Amendment rights by making her take down the sign. He has been talking with Westchase attorney Steve Mezer and is hoping to review community documents soon.

Although Manning said Stacey Kelley could be fined $100 a day for 10 days if she keeps the sign, no fines have been levied.

For the next two weeks, the Kelleys plan to put the sign debate aside. They're heading to Orlando for vacation this week, and their Westchase neighbors plan to throw David Kelley a party.

When he heads back to Iraq, it will be hard to let him go, Stacey Kelley said.

"It's just hello to say goodbye," she said.