Pa. Man Cited for U.S. Flags Outside His Store

Pa. Man Cited for U.S. Flags Outside His Store

posted 12:58 pm Sat July 26, 2008 - Bradford, Pa. (AP)

A western Pennsylvania shop owner is in trouble for flying U.S. flags outside his store.A citation filed earlier in the week accuses shop owner Mike Smith of violating Bradford's sign ordinance because his flags flap into the street.Smith, a Vietnam War veteran, has displayed the two U.S. Flags, a Prisoner of War flag and a Missing in Action flag outside his business for eight years.
He says he displays the flags for the troops in Iraq (web|news) and Afghanistan and in memory of those who don't return.

Bradford Mayor Tom Riel says the problem is not with the flags. He says the concern is that they flap into a traffic lane.

The case will be argued before District Judge Dom Cercone on Aug. 11.