New community to require “Patriots” to fly US flags on all homes

1776 Gastonia, a new 55+ housing development located in Gastonia, North Carolina, is set to make a unique requirement for its homeowners: flying the American flag outside their homes at all times.¹ As the founder of Great American Homes, Brock Fankhauser sees 1776 Gastonia as a community that places the American dream at its core. And to make that possible, Brock needs Patriots. He believes that homeownership represents the epitome of the American dream and sees 1776 Gastonia as an opportunity for seniors to celebrate their accomplishments in a community that honors American values. With the goal of unity and a neighborhood of patriots, the developers of 1776 Gastonia have made flying the American flag a visible standard for homeowners to follow. Let us explore what that means and the responses to this new housing development.

The Philosophy of 1776 Gastonia

Brock Fankhauser sees his brand as the beginning of a larger movement.2 The development aims to unite individuals who share common ideals and interests, giving a sense of community among its residents. The 1776 brand focuses on the importance of common ground as an main element of patriotism, aiming to rise above our differences in politics. Fankhauser, though having donated to the Republican party and Donald Trump in the past, insists that the community will shun any attempts to become a political movement. He believes that patriotism, like a mountain, can unite people, rising above political differences and offering a shared experience of being in America.

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The Intersection of Patriots and Politics

The introduction of a mandatory flag requirement in 1776 Gastonia has sparked debates and raised questions about how legal it is and its potential implications. Restrictive covenants, a common practice in residential real estate, allow homeowners associations to enforce rules and maintain consistency in planned communities. Fankhauser sees these covenants as a “pledge of allegiance” and “promises” among neighbors, serving as a mechanism to ensure the unity he expects to see from patriots in the community. However, the enforceability of such covenants is subject to legal scrutiny and interpretation.

Real estate lawyer Harmony Taylor has raised concerns about the requirement, viewing it as potentially violating the public policy of North Carolina and infringing on an individual’s right to espouse their political views. While the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 protects the right of homeowners to fly the US flag within their properties, Taylor questions the requirement to display a specific flag and whether it aligns with constitutional free speech protections. She shows the distinction between forcing someone to express a particular political view versus limiting their speech. Simply put, being a patriot doesn’t require flying a flag to show it. 

Despite the controversies about the flag requirement, 1776 Gastonia offers a unique program to support wounded veterans. Each 1776 community, including Gastonia, plans to donate a home without a mortgage, free of cost, to a wounded veteran through the nonprofit organization Building Homes for Heroes. The first allocation of a home in 1776 Gastonia is to Peter and Kelly Clark, a couple deeply grateful for this life-changing opportunity. Peter, a lung and brain cancer survivor with memory issues, and Kelly, his caregiver, appreciate the developers’ generosity and see how the neighborhood does give focus to its patriots. 

The Future of 1776 Communities

As the 1776 Gastonia development begins selling its properties, it serves as a potential model for similar communities in other states. Fankhauser’s vision for the 1776 brand extends beyond Gastonia, aiming to create communities centered around the American dream in various locations. However, we are yet to see the impact of 1776 Gastonia and its flag requirement on future developments and the broader discourse around defining patriots.

In conclusion, the introduction of a mandatory American flag requirement in the 1776 Gastonia housing development has sparked discussions about where of patriotism meets politics and individual rights. While some applaud the emphasis on American values and unity, concerns are about the potential infringement on freedom of speech remain. As the development begins, the implications of this unique requirement will continue to unfold, shedding light on the broader conversation about the expression of being a patriot and the meaning of the American dream in contemporary society.

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