TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – John Ackert starts off each morning like most people checking his mail.
An American flag covers his mailbox and has for four years, a show of his love of the country he fought to protect while serving in the Navy during Vietnam.
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He says he was shocked when he received a letter from his homeowners association demanding he remove the mailbox cover or be fined.
“It indicated that this depiction of the American flag that was on my mailbox was negatively affecting the value of homes in the area and I think that's what bothered me,” said Ackert, a retired Naval Commander.
The mailbox cover was more than decoration for its owner it was a showoff patriotism, which Akert believes was worth fighting for.”
“If this had been a no-trespassing sign or something on my front lawn and they didn't like it," Akert said "I probably would have just taken it off.”
Akert’s story caught national attention, and waves of support.
“I got hundreds of emails," Akert said. "My neighbors came by.”
Now the neighborhood association says its changing its rules. From now on mailbox covers with American flag print will be allowed. Ackert says it’s a small victory for patriotism.
“When I came back from Vietnam, I wasn't in particularly treated very nicely. This helps make it feel much better,” Akert said.
Many subdivision Residents supported the navy vet and were happy to hear the patriotic display would be allowed to stay.
“He should have it on show,” said Southwood resident Heather Brooks.
In changing it’s rules, the Homeowners association learned what others in Florida have learned: banning patriotism is a PR war they could not win.