Collier County man fights HOA’s rule to bring down flag

NAPLES, Fla. Frank Apuzzo has been raising his American flag every morning since Hurricane Irma hit Southwest Florida.

Apuzzo, who has lived at the Isles of Capri for about two years, received a letter two days ago from his homeowners association asking him to take down the flag.

“They’re worried about me flying my American flag, it just doesn’t make sense,” Apuzzo said.

The flag stands as a symbol of appreciation for first responders, Apuzzo said.

“God, it means a lot. Freedom number one, freedom and liberty and sacrifice of the men and the women who served our country, who gave their lives so that we could be here,” he said.

Apuzzo never put in a request to hang the flag and must have a written permission from the board to keep the flag up, according to the homeowners association.

“Without calling me or asking me to talk about the situation or anything,” he said. “It was if you don’t remove it immediately, we’re going to take you arbitration, basically legal threats.”

After recent natural disasters and the Las Vegas massacre, Apuzzo believes it’s time for the nation to come together as one.

“So many people that either served or were part of the military service you know were doing things for us just selflessly,” he said. “That’s what that flag represents to me, that’s what it’s all about. People should be coming together, the flag should not be dividing us.”

WINK News reached out to the homeowners association’s lawyer, but did not receive a response.

Apuzzo is not planning to take his flag down anytime soon.