Oh for crying out loud, would it be too much to expect a little common sense and judgment on the part of the HOA, and the willingness on their part to make an exception for a person whose life story certainly justifies it. Of course they're allowed to have their rules, and certainly those who buy into an association know the rules beforehand...nevertheless, it's small minded in the extreme on the association's part not to recognize that this gentleman's service should earn him some latitude. If anyone's ever earned the right to hoist the flag to the sky, it's this man.