Col. Van T. Barfoot now has support from the White House.
The Medal of Honor recipient and veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars is fighting his Henrico County homeowners association over whether he can use a flagpole on his property to fly the U.S. flag.
The Sussex Square Services Inc. homeowners association, which says the pole violates its regulations, told Barfoot he has until Friday -- a week later than the original deadline -- to take down the pole or face the legal consequences.
The story has drawn national attention, and today during the White House press briefing, President Barack Obama's chief spokesman Robert Gibbs was asked if the president supported Col. Barfoot.
"I think its silly to think that somebody that's done that couldn't have a flagpole," said Gibbs, the White House press secretary, referring to Barfoot's service in three wars.
Gibbs said he has not spoken directly to the president on the issue, but said that "the president believes, I think all of us believe, that the least we can do is show our gratitude to someone who served our country so admirably."
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