HOA Asks Military Family To Take Down ‘Welcome Home’ Banner [VIDEO]

A Lafayette military family in Frenchman's Creek subdivision is confused as to why they have been asked to take down a sign welcoming home their son, and father Anthony Marsiglia from his deployment with the Navy.

According to KATC's Erin Steuber, the family had the sign hanging outside of their home in anticipation of Marsiglia's return home within the next few weeks. A look at the map in his family's home shows that over the last four years Anthony has literally been everywhere BUT home.

UPDATE 2/27/14: KATC is reporting that the family and the HOA have reached an agreement, and the sign will remain up until Anthony returns home for good in May.

UPDATE 2/20/14: According to KATC, the HOA has hired a mediator and the sign is still down.

Petty Officer Third Class Anthony Marsiglia is actually a friend of mine, and when I read this story, I immediately felt for his family. I met Anthony through his brother Jon, who I roomed with for a few years after high school.

He was a great guy, and I still remember when I heard the news that he would be joining the Navy.

I often see these stories in the national news, but being that I know Anthony, this one especially hit close to home.

Perhaps the one person who is most excited to see Marsiglia is his 8-year-old daughter Alex. She was only four when her daddy left for the Navy, and even though she wishes "he wasn't in the Navy" she is proud of her father, and misses him every day.

Marsiglia's mother, Judi Pellegran can't wait to celebrate everything Anthony has missed upon his return home, but was shocked to receive a letter from the homeowner's association.

The letter the family received referred them to a section of their homeowner rules, which deals with size requirements for signs. It's the only part where signs are mentioned. The requirement bans signs from being larger than 24-by-36 inches, but the Pellegran family's sign fits within those dimensions. We've asked the attorney for the homeowner's association to clarify why the family was asked to take the sign down since it they have complied, but they declined comment.

The HOA attorney forwarded a response to KATC saying the sign could be up for two weeks prior to Marsiglia's return, and two weeks after. No other explanation was given.

Pellegran still doesn't understand why the sign welcoming home Petty Officer Third Class Anthony Marsiglia can't stay up, but she does want the world to know how proud she and her family are of him and his service.

Maybe the rules don't allow Anthony's 'Welcome Home' sign in Frenchman's Creek, but how awesome would it be if everyone else in Lafayette and surrounding areas made signs welcoming Anthony home, and hung them outside of their homes and businesses?

We here at Hot 107.9 and Townsquare Media are proud of you too Anthony, and we can't wait to see you when you're home.

[via KATC]