[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 83 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H6159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FRANK LARISON: ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there is no such thing as a former 
marine. Once marines leave the military, they are still marines at 
heart, soul, and patriotic zeal.
  One such marine is Frank Larison, who served in Vietnam--14 years in 
the military.
  The 58-year-old combat veteran lives in Lake Highlands in Dallas, 
Texas. Like many marines, he has Marine bumper stickers and decals on 
his vehicle. But the homeowners' association claims the stickers are 
advertising, which is prohibited under deed restrictions.
  Marine Larison has been told to remove the stickers or face fines or 
towing. Larison is not retreating from this battle. Marine Larison has, 
in the unique Marine vocabulary, ``politely'' refused to peel off any 
of the red and gold Marine decals. Larison told a Dallas reporter, 
``I'm not advertising. I'm just proud to have served my country.''
  Marine Larison will win his fight with the association because 
freedom of speech is still sacred in America whether the association 
likes it or not. There is nothing like a U.S. Marine. They are a breed 
of their own. They are truly unique, proud Americans. The association 
picked the wrong person to do battle with, a U.S. Marine. Semper fi, 
Frank Larison. Semper fi.
  And that's just the way it is.

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