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General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lt.Del on December 03, 2009, 09:59:47 pm
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This WWII, Korean, and Vietnam vet and Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipient cannot have a flag pole to raise the American flag on his own land, thanks to his Homeowner's Association. This is in Henrico County, the same County where I live and work. I think I'm gonna go pay him a visit and buy him a beer. He is one of the last WWII Medal of Honor vets left alive. He's 90 yrs old and for the first time in his life, he cannot fly his flag he fought so hard for.
The neighborhood assoc is taking him to court to get the flag pole removed. Because he has neighbors who have no life and are self-centered and jealous, and yes, this is a very well-to-do area in the western suburbs of Richmond, I believe Mr. Barfoot's rights are being infringed upon, and, because of this, he has one last battle to fight--this time in his own dang country fighting his own countrymen. This is sad. This will be a court case about Freedom versus Socialism, Commonsense versus P.C., Hero versus beneficiary of America's heroism, and, quite simply, Right versus Wrong!
Thanks goes out to Fox News for bringing this out to the public and making it a National debate. I don't see NBC, ABC or CBS doing this.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579147,00.html
Read this guy's Medal of Honor citation...he was one bad dude....I wouldn't want to tangle with him, even now that he is 90. Superhuman. http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2625/barfoot-van-t.php
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Buy him a beer for me too! I'd love to meet a Medal of Honor recipient. I hope he wins this battle as well.
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That's crazy. As much as I disagree with them forbiding the flag pole in the first place, I would think that they could at least make an exception in Col. Van Barfoot's case. If it weren't for real live heros like him, we'd all be forced to fly Swastikas today.
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An exception must be made; i always said that any WW2 veteran could steal my girlfriend and i would be totally cool with it. And i'm serious about that.
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WTH Taking him to court for flyin the flag?
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I dont think "exeptions" should be made for the flag. If you want to fly it, there should be no restrictions anywhere as long as it is flown respectfully. Lot of folks around here take it personally, as we all should, and if they were told they couldnt fly it due to a bunch of over glorified houses owned by lifeless, sissy, mary panzies (Im biting my tongue as best as I can) there would be a battle resulting in the whine bags getting their stuff loaded up for them and moved on down the road in the beds of a bunch of pickups. As long as it is flown respectful to the flag and what it stands for, there should never be ANY restrictions.
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Well apparently the issue they have is with a pole smack in the middle of public property. But, that said, the pole is being used to fly the American flag. This is something every American should identify with or at least accept, so they should make an exception.
Another reason I say exception is because I think, at the very least, who erected that pole should have some bearing on this case. The man is a real live hero and they should show him respect. If that means holding their tongue, swallowing their pride, and bending the rules, so be it. It's a small sacrifice to make for someone like that. People are so ungrateful.
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event.. I understand your meaning behind exception, and wasnt taking a shot at you. I hope you knew that. It was a general reference to the use of exceptions we have to use to be politically correct. Needless to say, Im not politically correct in anything, and I totally agree with you. Exceptions should apply to this, but why do we have to get use to making exceptions for something that shouldnt matter. Its an honor to fly it, and to have one that fought like he did to protect it, want to fly it, it is his privaledge, and we should be honored to have him do it. I had a guy up the street flying a Mexico flag in his front yard, and no one tried to make him take it down, even though Id like too. I dont know the homeowners association guidelines, and such, but from what Ive heard, its a crock. If Im gonna spend the money on property, Im gonna do whatever I want to with it. This guy deserves ultimate respect as you stated, he is a "real live hero"
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event.. I understand your meaning behind exception, and wasnt taking a shot at you. I hope you knew that.
Absolutely, I was just try to clarify the point I was getting at in my first post. Maybe the underlines made it come off as defensive, but that wasn't my intention. I think everyone here is on the same page.
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I hope he wins his fight....He fought for freedoms that these HOAs don't even have a clue about.
Also of note, although this pales in comparison to the MOH.....
Col. Barfoot is one of the few officers to have been awarded the Good Conduct Medal.
None of the famous WWII General Officers were ever awarded the Good Conduct Medal.
I don't believe in rewriting the U.S. Constitution on every whim, but I would support an amendment that would allow the flag to be flown over ANY soverign U.S. soil, at any time for any reason. This could be added in addition to the flag desecration (protection) amendment that is way over due......I guess what I am saying is....It is unfathomable to me that any bylaw could ever be written that would prohibit flying our nation's flag over our nation's land.
We could all take a lesson from the socialism that results from these HOAs.
Edit: I just noticed Col. Barfoot was in the 45th infantry division. There is a great museum dedicated to the 45th on the east side of Oklahoma City. I highly recommend that anyone visiting Okie City should spend a 1/2 a day at this museum. Lots of armor, artillery pieces, and many history relics at that museum.
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Well apparently the issue they have is with a pole smack in the middle of public property.
The pole is on his land. They have a community maintenance agreement and stuff, but, it is on his land. He check beforehand with the neighborhood association and they said no, but, he couldnt find any rep to discuss it with him. So he grew frustrated and erected it on his yard.
He lives a few miles from me. I may go take a pic of it tomorrow. I saw Brian Williams and NBC Nightly News talk about it tonight, finally.
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The pole is on his land. They have a community maintenance agreement and stuff, but, it is on his land. He check beforehand with the neighborhood association and they said no, but, he couldnt find any rep to discuss it with him. So he grew frustrated and erected it on his yard.
He lives a few miles from me. I may go take a pic of it tomorrow. I saw Brian Williams and NBC Nightly News talk about it tonight, finally.
Not that it affects how I feel about the issue, but the article you posted said "the grounds are community property." So my interpretation was that his ownership of that land was shared amongst all those who live in that complex. But you're saying the pole is on his private property? Either way the HOA members and are undisputedly in the wrong and are being bunch of turds to man that clearly deserves better.
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some hoa are pains like that when i was living with my mom we moved into a new housing development they said you can only fly if you take it down every night(unless a light is on them), no flag pole, take it down in bad weather, don't fly it up side down, no flag is to be above the American flag. most of it was common flag knowage so i took those holiday flag poles the wooden ones for Holiday flags mounted them on the porch with fog lights looking up at the American flag and the Marine flag. hellofa sight
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"the grounds are community property." So my interpretation was that his ownership of that land was shared amongst all those who live in that complex. But you're saying the pole is on his private property?
Yep, I misread.. Sorry. I saw this and gave it my interpretation..
"Emotional torture is what they've done to my father," said his daughter, Margaret Nicholls. "He has lost sleep, he worries about it constantly. He just doesn't understand. He thinks that if it's on his property they can't tell him what to do."
I'm thinking about going to one of those party strores and getting like two dozen little U.S. Flags and sticking them all over the "community" grounds. I bet ole Barfoot would get a laugh at that. Going to take some pics in a couple of hours.
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SgtDel, I wish i were closer to you, me and a bunch of my other, relatively large buddies, would happily help you place the flags. Really, whats the most they can do, fine us for littering. That would be a very interesting court case.
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This article contains a pic of the flag pole in question. I am just amazed that anyone would find take issue with that.
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=11625240
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Some people have too much time on their hands. In this day and age we need all the Col Barfoots we can get. I'd like to have a word with the home owners association.
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The most famous flag pole in the U.S. right now. I don't see how this distracts from the neighborhood moreso than the dodge sittin' in the driveway. But give it time, HOA will dictate that you can only have vehicles less than 10 yrs old or something. One of our U.S. Senators, Sen. Mark Warner (D), is for the general puplic's opinion....imagine that. It is a leftist type view to have all these laws and regulations, but, when the public raises up against this, the Senator jumps on the bandwagon.
The flag pole is about 2' from the guy's house. It is clearly not imposing onto anyone else's property, be it community or private. I think it looks good there.
(http://www.delbridge.net/flag09a.jpg)
(http://www.delbridge.net/09flagb.jpg)
This is seemingly a patriotic neighborhood, OR, the quiet neighbors are protesting by putting their own flags out the "RIGHT" way accorging to the HOA guidlines. However, it was a Neighborhood committee who voted 'no' when Barfoot asked initially to erect the pole. Everywhere I looked, I saw flags displayed....
(http://www.delbridge.net/09flagc.jpg)(http://www.delbridge.net/09flagd.jpg)(http://www.delbridge.net/09flage.jpg)(http://www.delbridge.net/09flagf.jpg)(http://www.delbridge.net/09flagg.jpg)(http://www.delbridge.net/09flagh.jpg)(http://www.delbridge.net/09flagi.jpg)(http://www.delbridge.net/09flagj.jpg)
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Hopefully the nieghbors are flying their flags in support of this American Hero. The HOA needs to go harrass some weedneck that don't have the right colored daisies and leave this Patriot alone.
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Tell him over the beer to fly the flag I will gladly chip in for his fines :)
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There comes a time when people need to rise up against stupid rules, whether they be from HOA or the government. If I were closer to his home I would gladly stand guard over that flag and the pole supporting it, it is least I can do to help a hero who help me in ways I can never hope to repay. I want to know why the persone who complained about it has not stepped up to the podium to give their side, could it be they are a ...........too bad this is a family site.
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Andy clean those leafs out of your bug shield
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Andy clean those leafs out of your bug shield
LOL, each time i do, these towering oaks at my house dump more. So, I gave up long ago. I just fly on the interstate and that works to an extent.
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Col. Barfoot was at the VA hospital Saturday. My mom and dad ('nam Marine vet) were there too and all the Marines there voted on a motion for them all to go to Barfoot's house and conduct a flag raising in his honor. They all ate breakfast with him Saturday.
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Awesome. I hope he makes it back home.
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yeah, the VA hospital hosts all kinds of veteran gatherings and dinners and such for all the Richmond area vets. Most of the vets go there for their social events and programs. My dad goes every Tuesday and at least one breakfast each weekend. They also visit with those hospitalized, as does Col. Barfoot.
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Oh, I thought you meant he was IN the hospital. So he's OK then?
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put it this way, when I am 90, i hope to be as good a shape as he is in, unfortunately, I'll be 6 feet under by more than a decade i am sure.
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LOL
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Sgt Del if they are going to do something with some advance notice I will drive down :)
these HOA people should be his detail for raising and lowering the flag he should just stand there and salute it
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i think everyone has those thoughts Frogman. The latest I heard, since our U.S. Senator got involved, is they are going to probably give him an exception. I don't think they think it would've gotten this big. The local law firm here in Richmond hired by the HOA, Coates and Davenport, are probably going to withdraw from the case since they are gettin' a lot of negative publicity...they are the ones who prepared the letter for Col. Barfoot to remove the flag pole.
If I hear of some teenagers lookin to egg a place, I know where to tell them. You know, not one of his neighbors have spoken to the local media on his behalf...they are afraid. Even the committee board members for the HOA won't talk because they have received threats according to the local media.
They are all cowards!! Too bad I don't live there, I'd be telling it like it is and dare anyone to do anything--talk about 15 minutes of fame, I'd be on that TV news quoting the Constitution and Patrick Henry at the same time. I'd be throwing out all the stats of honorable men who were killed in WWII, Korea and 'nam. I'd be there saluting that flag so that all those TV cameras get a good pic of me doing it. I'd be honored to be his neighbor, and won't be afraid to say so. There is only one true hero who lives in that neighborhood and he has a Congressional Medal of Honor around his neck.
I think this story will fizzle out with the HOA changing their rules, at least for him.
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BREAKING NEWS!!!
Can I call it or what? They just announced that all legal action has been withdrawn. They are allowing Col Barfoot to continue to fly the flag. The HOA did an 'about face'.
In addition, U.S. Representative Eric Cantor (R), Minority Whip in the U.S. House of Rep, who lives in Henrico County as well (coincidence), introduced a bill in the House which will allow any Medal of Honor recepient to fly the U.S. Flag on a flag pole no matter where they live. In other words, no HOA can dictate whether a flagpole can be erected by a Medal of Honor recepient.
Funny what happens when a U.S. Senator (M. Warner) and House Representative Minority Whip (Cantor) get involved.
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I am really glad to hear that. Good to see someone still cares about the good guys.
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WooHoo!!!
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Better late than never. Still the weasel that complained about it never did step forward.
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Better late than never. Still the weasel that complained about it never did step forward.
Ha Ha. If he didn't come foward in the first place, did you really expect him to after all the negative publicity?
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Sad news I just saw on NBC Nightly News w/ Brian Williams. Van Barfoot, who was one of 14 surviving WW2 Medal of Honor recipients this morning, died today in Richmond. This leaves 13 MOH recipients of WW2 left. Four have died since August. They are going fast.
I went by Barfoot's house during the national controversy over him erecting a flag pole two years ago and took pics, attached earlier in this thread. The now-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor intoduced a bill in 2009 which was later signed into law allowing any MOH recipient to erect a flag pole no matter the Neighborhood Association rules.
You gotta read Barfoot's story on how he earned the MOH. We need more people like him. He was 92 when he died today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_T._Barfoot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_T._Barfoot)