Woodbridge homeowner's Confederate flag sparks controversy in neighborhood

A Woodbridge neighborhood could have a Confederate flag controversy of its own as a resident there says he decided to fly his flag as debate surrounding it heats up across the country.

The controversial flag is flying high on this heavily traveled Woodbridge street.

"That's a flag earned in blood," said Doug, a longtime Woodbridge resident who only provided his first name citing privacy concerns. "I had five relatives that were in the Confederacy, and trust me, I know what the cornerstone of the Confederacy is. I'm a historical reenactor and I know what the Confederacy was about. But I fly that to honor the soldiers."

He said raising the Confederate flag is about history and not hate despite the flag's symbolism sparking an emotional discussion nationwide.

"We've been flying it for years, but we put it back up when all the controversy started," Doug told us.

Doug showed us a tattoo of the Confederate flag on his left arm.

"What next? You're going to come after this?" he said referring to the tattoo.

Aside from the Confederate flag outside his home, Doug showed FOX 5 another Confederate flag he uses in Civil War reenactments.

Terry Twomey lives next door to Doug. Her home is filled with American flag decor.

"I believe America is about what people want as long as it stops at the end of their nose," said Twomey. "I'm not for violence. You can do whatever you want as long as it stops there and they're very nice people."

"It should come down," said Joe Murphy, who lives a few homes away from Doug. "I think everybody around here should want him to take it down. I know I don't want to see it."

An American flag flanks Murphy's front entrance. Two homes separate Murphy's American flag and Doug's Confederate flag.

While Doug said the Confederate flag symbolizes history, Murphy disagrees.

"It may for him," said Murphy. "It doesn't for me."

This Woodbridge neighborhood does not have a homeowner association. That means if a neighbor is offended by a neighbor's Confederate flag, there is little to no recourse.

Prince William County Police Department spokesperson Jonathan Perok said a neighborhood feud about the Confederate flag "does not meet the requirements for police intervention."