Wish we had more guys like this

Ol'Salt Joined: Oct 05, 2009 Posts: 745

You might remember a news story several months ago about a crotchety
Old man who defied his homeowners association and refused to take down
The flagpole on his property and the large flag that flew on it. Now you can
Find out who, exactly, that old man was.

On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in Edinburg -- probably
Didn't make much news back then.
Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944, near Carano , Italy ,
Van T. Barfoot,who had enlisted in the US Army in 1940, set out to
Flank German machine gun positions from which fire was coming
Down on his fellow soldiers. He advanced through a minefield,
Took out three enemy machine gun positions and returned
With 17 prisoners of war.

If that wasn'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 Congressional Medal of Honor.

What did make news was a neighborhood association's quibble with

How the 90-year-old veteran chose to fly the American flag outside

His suburban Virginia home. Seems the rules said a flag could be

Flown on a house-mounted bracket, but, for decorum, items such

As Barfoot's 21-foot flagpole were unsuitable.

He had been denied a permit for the pole, erected it anyway and was

Facing court action if he didn't take it down. Since the story made

National TV, the neighborhood association has rethought its position

And agreed to indulge this old hero who dwells among them.

"In the time I have left I plan to continue to fly the American flag without

Interference," Barfoot told The Associated Press. As well he should.

And if any of his neighbors still takes a notion to contest him, they

Might want to read his Medal of Honor citation. It indicates he's not

Real good at backing down.

Van T. Barfoot's Medal of Honor citation:

This 1944 Medal of Honor citation, listed with the National Medal of Honor

Society, is for Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry:

WE ONLY LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE...

BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!

Sure wish he lived here, and liked to flounder fish

Ol'Salt Joined: Nov 06, 2010 Posts: 342

Thanks for that and hope everyone says THANKS to a Vet this and every
week.

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:54 pm Post subject:

The homeowners association should have come over and help raise old glory. some people need a history lesson because they have forgot how America became the land of the free.
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Ol'Salt Joined: Oct 05, 2009 Posts: 745

Ol'Salt Joined: Jul 09, 2009 Posts: 167 Location: NdaH2O

Good story, the HOA ought to be ashamed of themselves, and should backdown with their heads between or in their tails. Hope he gets his way, and if this country stands for anything good anymore he should.
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Fishing to the beat of a different drum

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:48 pm Post subject:

Bravo, Bravo I fly the American flag on BOTH sides of my driveway and on my front porch and back deck. I dare anyone to tell me I have to take them down... AMERICA - THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE like this great hero.
A great story and outcome especially with tomorrow being Veterans Day.
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AMANDA GAIL FISHING TEAM

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:58 pm Post subject:

Where is the subdivision....Cary, NC? Cary is full of the non-flag flying crowd and they make the headlines frequently. Alot of people have lost their way and are doomed to repeat the past b/c they can't appreciate the sacrifices made by others. To me it's very simple... 1) private property 2) freedom of speech. The man is owed thanks and an apology.
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2200 NauticStar Tournament

You can lead a horse to water but you cant make him THINK.

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