R.I.P.: Van T. Barfoot died at the age of 92 on 2 March 2012
Remember the guy who wouldn't take the flag down? 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.
14 comments:
Good for him Go tell that Home Owners association where to shove their stupid rules. RIP old fellow
There were men in those days. God bless him, and may he rest in eternal peace.
He proved as an old man that his heroism on the battlefield as a youth was not a fluke but a character trait.
May this great country find many more like him.
Our world has lost a hero. His courage and example will be greatly missed.
This story simply proves that generally speaking, the American people have truly lost their way. They have allowed themselves to be anesthetized by a leftist MSM who's main function seems to be the spreading of a corrosive and liberty-killing virus known as, political correctness. So much so, that they have completely forgotten what true patriotism and love of country are all about. It is what usually happens to a society that is dying.
This story simply proves that generally speaking, the American people have truly lost their way. They have allowed themselves to be anesthetized by a leftist MSM who's main function seems to be the spreading of a corrosive and liberty-killing virus known as, political correctness. So much so, that they have completely forgotten what true patriotism and love of country are all about. It is what usually happens to a society that is dying.
For the record, it is the "Medal of Honor," not the "Congressional Medal of Honor."
"It is what usually happens to a society that is dying."
It is what usually happens to a CONSERVATIVE society that is dying.
Hey you kids! Get off my lawn!
Tell those who says Old Glory Offends them to GO LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO
The only that that offends me is YOU, birdbrain.
I feel sorry for the old gentleman, but flags are merely territorial claims, the equivalent of dogs and other animals pissing and scenting theirs.
Annon 3:05 Your brains on pernimate vacation
I can't help but wonder, now that this patriot has passed, what will happen to the flag pole.
Post a Comment