Flying Noisy Flag Ruled Illegal
LAS CRUCES, N. M. — About 80 veterans hissed as a Navy retiree was found guilty of violating a noise law by flying the flag on windy days.
“If it’s criminal to fly the flag, then I’m John Dillinger,” said Lee Bach, the World War II Naval veteran convicted Tuesday.
Gena Contreras, a neighbor bothered by the snapping and popping of the 3-by-5-foot banner atop Bach’s 40-foot flagpole, filed the public nuisance case after he rejected her request that he not fly the flag while she was home.
The offense carries a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $300 fine. Municipal Judge Jose Coronado delayed sentencing to give Bach and Contreras time to work out an agreement. But Bach said there would be no settlement.
“I’m going to fly it every day come hell or high water,” he said, “and there’s nothing he can do about it except throw me in jail.”
Bach said he would appeal, and a veterans’ group promised to help with legal expenses.
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