COL Barfoot -Threads Merged

Good letter, Psi Brr. Well said.

Good news abounds!:

http://www.*******.com/story/0,2933,579773,00.html

Originally Posted by Psi Brr

Good news abounds!:

http://www.*******.com/story/0,2933,579773,00.html

Outstanding.

[RGR.Montcalm]

Good news indeed...


Washington Post
December 10, 2009
Pg. B1

War Hero Wins Battle Over Flagpole

By Christian Davenport

The Great Flagpole Dispute of 2009 started last summer when Van T. Barfoot, a retired Army colonel who single-handedly took on three Nazi tanks in World War II, moved to the Sussex Square neighborhood near Richmond to be closer to his daughter. Barfoot believes in flying the colors of the nation he loves, so he erected a flagpole in his front yard.

Like thousands of developments across the country, Sussex Square is governed by a homeowners association, which controls the neighborhood's aesthetics. The association ordered Barfoot, a 90-year-old Medal of Honor recipient, to remove his flagpole.

By the time the flagpole battle ended this week, after threats of litigation, accusations of anti-Americanism and indignation that spilled far beyond the development's boundaries to become fodder for a nation of talking heads and blogging pundits, even Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and the Obama administration had chimed in.

In the end, it took the combined forces of the American Legion, members of Congress, untold numbers of sympathetic veterans and the spokesman for the leader of the free world to persuade the homeowners association to back off its threat to sue a war hero. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) finally brokered a deal that will allowBarfoot to keep his flagpole.

"All my life, from childhood to now, I have been able to fly the flag," Barfoot told supporters standing outside his house Wednesday. "In the time I have left, I plan to continue to fly the American flag without interference."

The rules at Sussex Square are simple: "no building, fence, flagpole, wall, improvement or other structure" may be put up without the association's approval. Like the nearly 60 million Americans who live in communities governed by homeowners associations, Barfoot and his neighbors must seek approval before even painting their house a different color.

Still, when Barfoot erected his 21-foot-tall flagpole, said his attorney, John Honey, "he believed he was within his legal rights."

The legalities quickly became secondary to the explosion of outrage about what appeared to many to be a suppression of patriotism. After the association ordered removal of the flagpole, Richmond area news outlets reported on the controversy. Soon, there was a "We Support Col Van T. Barfoot's (Ret) Effort To Fly The U.S. Flag" page on ******** (as of Wednesday: 48,000 members and counting). Outraged bloggers posted and tweeted the name and phone number of the association's president, urging people to give him an earful.

The American Legion issued a statement saying that the homeowners association "underestimated the fight left in this elderly veteran, and now they have to contend with the determination and persistence of Col. Barfoot's 2.5 million friends in The American Legion."

Barfoot is known in Virginia for his wartime heroism and his service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. His Medal of Honor citation credits his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while fighting in Italy in 1944. Barfoot took out two enemy machine gun perches, which led to the surrender of a third. Later, he "took up an exposed position directly in front of three advancing Mark VI tanks" and fired on one with a bazooka, scaring the other two away. Earlier this year, Virginia's legislature named a stretch of Route 16 the "Col. Van T. Barfoot Medal of Honor Highway."

So when news of the flagpole battle flared, officials rallied around the war hero. Kaine said it was "ridiculous" that the association was requiring Barfoot to take the flagpole down. On Monday, during a briefing that dealt mainly with the environment, the economy, health care and Afghanistan, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said he thought it was "silly" that Barfoot "can't have a flagpole and show the proper respect and appreciation that any flag deserves by flying that in their neighborhood." And on Tuesday, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) introduced a resolution seeking to allow Medal of Honor recipients "to properly display the flag" on their property.

But the homeowners association said it never had a problem with the flag -- residents may fly flags that are mounted to the sides of their homes, and many do. The problem was with the pole. By requesting its removal, the association said in a statement, it was "discharging its duty to all the owners in the neighborhood." The request was "never intended . . . as an affront to [Barfoot's] patriotism." Calls to the association president were not returned.

The association's rules might seem overly burdensome, even petty, to those who think property owners should be able to do as they wish on their land. But such restrictions are common and are designed to "protect property values, maintain the look and curb appeal of a community and to meet the established expectations of the neighborhood," said Frank Rathbun, spokesman for the Community Associations Institute.

Barfoot's fight was not the first time a homeowner has clashed with an association over flags. In 2005, Congress passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Md.) guaranteeing the right to fly a flag in communities governed by homeowners associations, as long as residents do so in accordance with association rules.

Sally Hedleston, who lives two doors down from Barfoot, called him a "lovely gentleman" and said she has no objection to the flagpole. She said residents warned the association board that if it didn't approve Barfoot's request, "this is going to get national attention and we're going to be considered jerks and very unpatriotic. And that's what happened."

[SOTB]

Originally Posted by Sally Hedleston

...."this is going to get national attention and we're going to be considered jerks and very unpatriotic...."

Yup. All of those people (some who may very well be vets themselves) who fly flags from mounts on their houses get to be thrown in the "unpatriotic" category. Yippee....

[RGR.Montcalm]

Originally Posted by SOTB

Yup. All of those people (some who may very well be vets themselves) who fly flags from mounts on their houses get to be thrown in the "unpatriotic" category. Yippee....

I'll bet dollars to donuts that the vets that fly their flag from posts on their houses didn't vote against this guy.

just sayin'

[Mother]

Common sense prevailed in this case. Good for him.

[Hopeless Civilian]

Medal of Honor recipient Col. Van T. Barfoot has passed away.

http://news.yahoo.com/medal-honor-re...210207269.html

Col. Barfoot was a native of Mississippi and is fondly remembered here. RIP Sir. Thank you for your service and for the outstanding example you have given us.

[bigmiska]

He took no crap off anyone! RIP Col Barfoot.....
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/col-v...raise-usa-flag

[Corsair]

RIP Col. Van T. Barfoot
A true American Hero.

[Linda1961]

RIP Hero.

[agonyea]

VAN T. BARFOOT

Remember the guy that wouldn't take the flag down in his yard?

by author unknown (edited by CALIE)



Col. Van Barfoot (retired), 90, AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch/Eva Russo photo.

Then Van T. Barfoot (a Choctaw Native American Indian) was born in Edinburg, Mississippi on June 15, 1919, he probably didn't make much news then or when he enlisted in the U.S. Army 21 years later (1940).

Here is the rest of the story:

http://www.californiaindianeducation...van_t_barfoot/

[CCo275]

RIP Warrior. Thanks for your service.

[Husker19D30]

RIP, Sir.

[Mars]

Rest in Peace, Warrior! What a legacy you have left us!

[RB]

RIP Sir. Thank you for your long, proud service to the USA and to her flag!

[Old_Starlight]

RIP Sir.

[Bangle99]

RIP Colonel. You've earned it!

[PV74RU78]

RIP, Sir.

[Tracy]

May your feathers carry your prayers to heaven and Hushatahli greets you.

RIP Sir.

[OldSwabbie]

Words hardly express the gratitude I feel for your contribution to this great Country Colonel Barfoot. Even in advanced age you did NOT back down from a fight, a righteous one at that.

This world is a lesser place without you Sir...

RIP Colonel.

[Lefty]

Sent to me yesterday by a friend:


May he Rest In Peace. Van T. Barfoot died at the age of 92 on 2 March 2012. Remember the guy who wouldn't take the flag pole down on his Virginia property a while back? You might remember the news story several months ago about a crotchety old man in Virginia who defied his local Homeowners Association, and refused to take down the flagpole on his property along with the large American flag he flew on it.

Now we learn who that old man was. On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in Edinburg , Texas . That probably didn't make news back then. But twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944, near Carano , Italy , that same Van T. Barfoot, who had in 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army, set out alone to flank German machine gun positions from which gunfire was raining down on his fellow soldiers.

His advance took him through a minefield but having done so, he proceeded to single-handedly take out three enemy machine gun positions, returning with 17 prisoners of war.

And if that weren't enough for a day's work, he later took on and destroyed three German tanks sent to retake the machine gun positions.



That probably didn't make much news either, given the scope of the war, but it did earn Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a Colonel after also serving in Korea and Vietnam , a well deserved Congressional Medal of Honor.







What did make news...was his Neighborhood Association's quibble with how the 90-year-old veteran chose to fly the American flag outside his suburban Virginia home. Seems the HOA rules said it was OK to fly a flag on a house-mounted bracket, but, for decorum, items such as Barfoot's 21-foot flagpole were "unsuitable".




Van Barfoot had been denied a permit for the pole, but erected it anyway and was facing court action unless he agreed to take it down.



Then the HOA story made national TV, and the Neighborhood Association rethought its position and agreed to indulge this aging hero who dwelt among them.



"In the time I have left", he said to the Associated Press, "I plan to continue to fly the American flag without interference."As well he should. And if any of his neighbors had taken a notion to contest him further, they might have done well to read his Medal of Honor citation first. Seems it indicates Mr. Van Barfoot wasn't particularly good at backing down.

[Evergreen]

RIP hero. Thank you for your dedication and service.

[Dangerous]

Rest in Peace.

[Hostile0311]

RIP Sir.
ETA: His bio also stated he was the recipient of a Silver Star, Bronze Star and 3 Purple Hearts in addition to the CMoH.

[B 2/75]

Rest in Peace, Sir

[Stretch]

My father sent me this today:

“Fwd: Van T Barfoot
From: Yuri xxx@xxx.com>
Sent: 3:11pm, Wednesday, August 15, 2018
To:
CC:


Van T Barfoot died...
read on....

Yes! Remember the Guy who wouldn't take The flag pole Down
on his Virginia Property a While back?

You might Remember the news story several
Months ago About a crotchety old man in
Virginia who Defied his local Homeowners Association,
And refused to take down the Flag pole on
His property along with the large American flag He flew on it.

Now we learn Who that old man was.
On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in Edinburg, Texas.

That probably didn't make News back Then.

But

Twentyfive years later, on May 23, 1944, Near
Carano , Italy,
That same Van T. Barfoot, Who had in 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army,
Set Out alone to Flank German machine gun Positions
From which gunfire was raining Down on his Fellow soldiers.

His advance Took him through a minefield but
Having done So, he proceeded to single-handedly Take out
Three enemy machine gun positions, Returning With 17 prisoners of war.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ix-lSLEY2...s1600/van1.jpg

And if that Weren't enough for a day's work, he Later
Took on and Destroyed three German tanks Sent to
Retake the machine gun positions.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pIEZMB_O8...s1600/van2.jpg
That probably Didn't make much news either,
Given the Scope of the war, but it did earn
Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a Colonel after
Also serving In Korea and Vietnam , a well Deserved
Congressional Medal of Honor.
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jn1BzMfwH...s1600/van3.jpg
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UOXTdiTZ...s1600/van4.jpg
What did make News...Was his Neighborhood
Association's Quibble with how the 90-year-old
Veteran chose To fly the American flag outside
His suburban Virginia home.

Seems the HOA rules
Said it was OK to fly a flag on a house-mounted
Bracket, but, For decorum, items such as
Barfoot's 21-foot Flagpole were "unsuitable".
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7VpjwqT3...s1600/van6.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYCN6U7dr...s1600/van5.jpg
Van Barfoot Had been denied a permit for
The pole, but Erected it anyway and was facing
Court action Unless he agreed to take it down.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yKj9yx-_-...s1600/van8.jpg
Then the HOA Story made national TV,
And the Neighborhood Association rethought
Its position And agreed to indulge this
Aging hero Who dwelt among them.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SzKKCNFF-...s1600/van9.jpg
"In the Time I have left", he said to the
Associated Press, "I plan to continue
To fly the American flag without interference."
As Well he should.

And if any of his neighbors had taken a Notion to
Contest him Further, they might have done well to
Read his Medal of Honor citation first.

Seems it
Indicates Mr. Van Barfoot wasn't
Particularly Good at Backing down.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBe5N9w9f...1600/van10.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6CaWge2v...1600/van11.jpg
If you got This email and didn't pass it on -

Guess what? - You need your butt kicked
I sent this To you, because I didn't want MY butt kicked!


WE ONLY LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE GUTS
OF THE BRAVE!

AND, BECAUSE OF “GUTTY” OLD MEN
LIKE VAN BARFOOT!”

This is the first I’ve heard of the Colonel.

The pictures included may not translate.

Thank you for your service Colonel Barfoot.