Col. Barfoot wins
You probably remember Col. Van T. Barfoot, the 90-year-old Medal of Honor recipient who was being harrassed by his homeowners’ association. Well, this was just passed over to us;
From the Richmond WTVR Channel 6 website:
HENRICO COUNTY – The Sussex Square Homeowners Association Board has just released the following statement regarding a World War II veteran’s battle to keep his flagpole:
“The Sussex Square Homeowners Association Board has agreed to withdraw legal action previously announced for Friday, December 11, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. against Colonel Van T. Barfoot regarding the flagpole located on his property.”
It appears from this statement, that the board will allow the Colonel to keep his flagpole, however, the homeowner’s association says it is not taking questions at this time. CBS 6 tried to reach Colonel Barfoot for comment but only received a recorded message.
From the Richmond/Petersburg WRIC Channel 8 website:
Update: The Office of Senator Mark Warner has released the following statement on behalf of the Sussex Square Homeowners Association Board:
“The Sussex Square Homeowners Association Board has agreed to withdraw legal action previously announced for Friday, December 11, 2009 at 5:00pm against Colonel Van T. Barfoot regarding the flagpole located on his property.”
Update: In response to the controversy involving 90-year old Medal of Honor recipient Col. Van Barfoot and the Sussex Square Homeowners’ Association, Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) have introduced a resolution that would allow Congressional Medal of Honor recipients to display the American flag on their property at all times. The following is the official release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) and Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) introduced a resolution, H. Res. 952, allowing Congressional Medal of Honor recipients to properly display the United States flag on their property at all times.
Recent media reports, including from the Mark Levin Show, uncovered a 90 year old Medal of Honor recipient, Col. Van T. Barfoot, who was ordered by his homeowner association last week to remove a flagpole from his yard, where he raises the American flag faithfully each morning.
“I was appalled to learn that one of our decorated Congressional Medal of Honor veterans was being prevented from proudly displaying the Flag of the United States of America in an honorable way,” said Rep. McKeon. “This reminds me of that famous quote by George Washington: ‘The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.’ Our service men and women – especially those living with honors and distinction- should be allowed to fly the flag that represents the very freedoms they fought so hard to protect.”
“It’s a sad day when a veteran of three wars is told he cannot fly the American flag on a pole outside of his home,” said Republican Whip Cantor. “Col. Barfoot made countless sacrifices, wore our country’s uniform with honor, and has earned the right to proudly display the American flag. I thank Col. Barfoot for his service and support his patriotism and efforts, as well as those here in the House, to allow him to fly his flag.”
Category: Support the troops
That is great news.
Out-friggin-standing.
Chalk one up for the good guys.
… RAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terrific.
Good for the Colonel – he deserves it. In other news, Rep. McKeon needs to learn that there’s no “Congressional” before “Medal of Honor.”
Nothin’ but net!
Good for him!
It got all the way to the WH before the HOA backed down.
Yeah…why am I not thrilled? This should have been over in the first five minutes.
I have to say my feeling about this is the same as the CMOH and the uniform.
They’ve earned the right to do whatever it is they want to do with the flag. Display it, cover their house with it, make stuffed animals and have a tea party. They have EARNED the RIGHT.
Good news! Now if only all the other HOA’s would get the message!
It is a pity that there are people in this country that just dont get it .I think maybe we should reinstitute the draft.Draft everyone from the sussex square home owners asoc.send them to iraq for a tour of duty and then see who they want to mess with .I feel like driving from my home in eugene oregon in my jeep crashing through the gate of there community and driving on all there lawns doing broadies tearing up the grsss.freaking ignorant snobs.
Pick me up on your way Tim. I am sure we can show the HOA how we play in the real US!