Legion wins in Ames flag flap

Members of an American Legion Post in downtown Ames have won a battle withthe city over a plan to put a flag pole in front of their building. Thecity argued the 20-foot pole wouldn’t comply with zoning regulations.Councilman Herman Quirmbach countered, saying it’s the Legion’s right to flyOld Glory. He says the veterans fought to defend our freedoms and thecouncil should do no less for them.Legion chaplain Howard Kyle says the flag identifies the legion. He says theAmes post was the only one in the country without a flag in front of theirbuilding.The city council voted last night, 3-2, to allow the Legion to put up itspole. Ames had planned to redevelop that part of downtown in a plan thatcalls for three flag poles to be located elsewhere.