A Louisiana couple says they're being sued by their homeowners' association for refusing to take down a sign honoring their son's military service.

Timothy and Jodi Burr, of Bossier City, La., hung a banner on their front lawn in January after their son, 20-year-old Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Corey Burr, deployed to Afghanistan for 14 months. The 3-by-6-foot sign shows a picture of their son in uniform with the words: "Our son defends our freedom!"


Since then, the Burrs say they have received several letters from the Gardens of Southgate Association, Inc., requesting them to remove the banner because it violates subdivision covenants that prohibit homeowners from erecting signs in public view. The couple said they were served with a lawsuit a couple of weeks ago after they refused to take down the sign.

"Our covenant states no sign on any lawn in view of the public," Jodi Burr said in an interview Monday with FoxNews.com.

But Burr called the association's lawsuit "selective enforcement," claiming that there are "numerous signs throughout the neighborhood" that have never been challenged by the association.

"It shocks me greatly," Burr said, noting that lawns in the small military community -- situated right near the Barksdale Air Force Base -- have signs supporting everything from sports teams to local schools.

The covenants of the subdivision state that only real estate or builder signs are allowed in public view, but "there are even religious signs" seen in the neighborhood, she said.

Burr said she and her husband contacted the association several times, asking to meet with representatives to discuss possible revisions to the covenants. Burr also told FoxNews.com that she was willing to change the size of the banner, but never received a response.

In a statement sent to FoxNews.com, Geoffrey D. Westmoreland, who represents the homeowners' association, said it supported and agreed with the sign's "message."

"The message and the sign located in the Burrs front yard has nothing to do with the current legal dispute involving that sign," the statement said.

Burr also said she believes the association's issue with the banner may be its size -- not its content.

"I’m speculating, though it’s never been said to me, that it’s the size," she said.

Burr said her family has no intention of removing the banner.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/07/25/louisiana-couple-sued-by-homeowners-association-over-banner-honoring-sons/#ixzz1TEXcBkBk

I hope they make a bigger one!

those hoa contracts can be a real b1tch\

I know.

They never consider this kind of thing when they sign on to these properties.

It would be her and her family and the hoa complaining if the person across the street from her had a banner memorializing Osama bin laden....lol

Note the family argues "selective enforcement," and I can believe that one for sure!

another example of fox news crappy journalism. I suppose a real news reporter would simply investigate wether there were other signs in other yards in the same association.

So we just take the word of the offended couple or do we investigate as any honest journalist would?

Its called Filler in the Media world. They didn't have a story they could really sensationalize. Still, even the idea that this could even be considered for a lawsuit in the first place. What a waste of resources!

And take up the WHOLE front yard.

I hope Military, Pro-Military and Veterans groups flood this community and overwhelm this stupid Nazi Homeowner's Association.

I would think rules are rules and if others were displaying signs were is the proof of that?

Realy people who join those communities know what they are getting into there are no exceptions.

I have little sympathy anyhow for a parent who allows their child to join the military when we are fighting unjust wars.

I agree rules are rules. The coverage I saw showed other homes with small garden flags and some college plaques on the walls of houses. Nothing as big as the banner in question.
Where I disagree is parents don't allow their "children to join the military, unless they are signing a waiver if said "child" is 17. Most ADULTS the age of 18 make their own choice to volunteer to join the military.

No exceptions when there are signs all over the neighborhoos and they selectivly enforce this one?

Oh how I dare you to say that to the face of the parents of vets! I know a kid who is joining the Army Corps of Engineers. Tell me that isn't a positive thing. His mom is not happy with him joining the military per say but the Army Corp of Engineers she does admit is a huge plus! So how about specifying a just war? I just got know what war is 'just?'

I would have to say defending yourself from aggresion is a just war.

A parent would have to be nuts to bust there butts raiseing a kid to see him die or crippled in Iraq or even afghanistan.

The biggest single issue we have with our economy is funding these wars.

What a terrible waste.