News-Info-Alerts

Re: POW-MIA Flag Flap at Condo

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: August 12, 2002

"Display of POW flag alongside Old Glory creates condominium flap

Sam Cook

Korean War veteran Bill McCarthy is such an American flag fanatic his telephone number ends in 911.

“Coincidence,’’ he says of his alarming last three digits. “Big-time coincidence.’’

Every day is Flag Day for McCarthy, 71, who joined the U.S. Air Force after a friend died and another was missing in action in 1950.

He doesn’t claim Betsy Ross as kin, but flag towels drape his car’s back seat and rest below the rear window of the Oswego, N.Y., native.

“That’s Jeanette’s idea,’’ says McCarthy of his wife. “She gets carried away.’’

The McCarthys moved into Windward Point condominiums on Fort Myers Beach in May 2001.

McCarthy, a member of VFW Post 10097, hung a 9-by-12 foot American flag between the sixth and seventh floors after 9-11.

“Everybody’s red, white and blue blood was higher than a kite,’’ McCarthy says. “I thought I could just throw it up, but it took a week.’’

Tropical Storm Gabrielle ripped the large flag, so McCarthy hung a 3-by-5 flag on the railing outside his second-floor condo.

He says two weeks ago, prompted by the memory of his MIA pal, he hung the prisoner of war flag next to the American flag.

McCarthy says condo manager Angie Croker told him it’d be in his best interests to remove the POW flag.

“I don’t think I used those words,’’ Croker says. “I told him to leave it up until the board discussed it Aug. 14.’’

McCarthy says he planned to take down both flags Saturday and invite his VFW friends to show their disdain.

Condo association president Fritz Binggeser got wind of the demonstration Thursday in Michigan and talked McCarthy out of it.

“We have never, ever told him the POW flag had to come down,’’ says Binggeser, who appreciates McCarthy’s red, white and blue donations, but wishes he’d inform the board before hanging.

The president says four or five residents complained about McCarthy hanging the POW flag next to Old Glory.

“I checked the bylaws,’’ McCarthy says. “There was no mention of a flag.’’

Binggeser says lack of a rule is the problem.

“Tomorrow, somebody could fly a Vietnam or Saudi Arabian flag,’’ he says. “Then what would we do?’’

McCarthy says he’ll wait for a board decision, but VFW members are on alert.

“I gotta call the boys and tell them not to press their shirts,’’ he says. “But we might need them to rally after Wednesday’s meeting.’’

Binggeser, 70, says a tenant offered to buy a flagpole but doesn’t know if the board will OK flying both flags.

“I didn’t tell him it’s going up tomorrow, next month or ever,’’ he says. “But there is a good possibility the board will put a flagpole up.’’


— Sam Cook’s column appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 335-0384 or fax 334-0708.

Copyright 2002, The News-Press"