On this Flag Day, a new victory for Old Glory

On this day, the 99th annual

observance of Flag Day across the United States, Ohioans have special reason to proudly hoist Old Glory. Just a few days ago, the Ohio House united unanimously to guarantee the right of all Buckeye State residents to put their

patriotism on display on this holiday – and every day – if they so choose.

By a 93-0 vote Wednesday, House members rallied around the flag to pass House Bill 18, a measure that prohibits landlords of all rented properties from banning display of the Stars and Stripes, as well as military, government service and POW/MIA flags. The bill evolved from a landlord’s insipid denial last year of an 86-year-old woman’s right to fly the flag from the front porch of her rented suburban Columbus home.

Three cheers to our lawmakers – particularly Mahoning Valley Rep. Tim Ginter of Columbiana County who co-sponsored the bill – for this quick and bipartisan fix. Now the bill heads to the upper chamber of the Legislature, where state senators should act with equal speed and alacrity to make this patriotic protection the law of our land by the Fourth of July.

Celebrate this victory by proudly and properly displaying the Stars and Stripes today.