Operation Old Glory!

An Initiative by Community Associations Institute to Encourage the Demonstration of Patriotism and Pride, by Promoting the Flying of American Flags in Community Associations

In recognition of the impact that the terrorist attacks have had on America, CAI has initiated Operation Old Glory! to promote the flying of American flags in community associations. We believe this initiative is important, since it gives citizens a positive way to demonstrate their support for the victims of the attacks and their pride in America.

With the recovery efforts ongoing and the war on terrorism gearing up, the coming weeks will not be easy. We hope that you will join us in doing our part to create an atmosphere of unity and pride, by participating in Operation Old Glory!

We do honor to the stars and stripes as the emblem of our country and the symbol of all that our patriotism means.

We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth. It represents our peace and security, our civil and political liberty, our freedom of religious worship, our family, our friends, our home. We see it in the great multitude of blessings, of rights and privileges that make up our country. . . — Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the United States)

On September 11, 2001, the United States was rocked to the core by terrorist attacks upon the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, our airlines, American citizens, and citizens from many other nations. The grief, anger, passion, and fear that these horrific events evoked cannot be adequately expressed.

Americans have united to provide support and assistance to the victims and their families, to rebuild New York City, and to eradicate terrorism. This strong resolve has manifested itself in many ways. Public servants have put their lives on the line to search for survivors of these tragedies, Americans have stood in line for hours to give blood, millions of dollars have been donated to relief efforts, and our soldiers stand ready to give their lives to free the American people from the threat of terrorism.

A strong sense of national pride and patriotism permeates America. Citizens are banding together to show their support for the victims and their families, our military, and our country by flying the American flag. The U.S. Congress passed a heartrending concurrent resolution on September 13, 2001, encouraging all Americans to fly the American flag.

Community Associations Institute (CAI) strongly believes that all Americans should have the opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism and support at this time of national crisis. As a result, CAI is asking all community associations to allow residents to support the House Concurrent Resolution 225, by permitting the flying of American flags. For community associations that have rules prohibiting the flying of flags, CAI is asking that you place a six-month moratorium on enforcing those rules.

Download a sample resolution placing a moratorium on the enforcement of prohibitions on flying American flags. Visit the American Legion's Web site for a copy of the concurrent resolution passed by Congress, and the United States Flag Page for etiquette on flying Old Glory. You may also utilize our faxback service by calling 703-836-6904 and requesting document numbers 525 (sample resolution for moratorium), 526 (House Concurrent Resolution 225), and 527 (flag etiquette as found on www.usflag.org). 

As Thomas Paine so eloquently stated in 1776, "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of men and women." We thank you in advance for your assistance in ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism and pride.

Please don't let us forget how many law-suits have been fought between homeowners and CAI boards and attorneys? People lost their homes over this issue! 

And I know here comes the argument : it was against CC&Rs, rules etc. and the law-suits dealt with flag-poles and brackets, not Old Glory! 

Is the CAI now giving people back their homes and money they lost fighting for the right to fly Old Glory? 

And I'm talking in the moment here about HOAs, homeowners' associations with single homes and private lots! 

Why is it always public pressure which makes organizations like CAI cave in, why not just plain common sense? 

Just think about it and may be we can come to the point where we sit together, smoke the peace pipe and talk about reasonable solutions which makes every side of the fence minimum 50% happy. In the moment the score is : industry 100% happy, homeowners and families 90 % unhappy! I guess we have to change that, but hopefully we don't need a terrorist attack each time in order to make a few little steps in the right direction!