Wow...way to go Richmond(Military dishonor)
- Thread starter bcrewcaptain
- Start date
bcrewcaptain
Well-known member
WASHINGTON -- White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday that it is "silly" to think that a 90-year-old Medal of Honor winner is being asked to remove a flagpole from his front yard.
Retired Army Col. Van T. Barfoot, a World War II veteran, is fighting to keep the 21-foot pole at his suburban Richmond home. His homeowners association said the pole violates the neighborhood's aesthetic guidelines. It pushed back a deadline to remove it to Friday.
Gibbs said during a briefing that he hasn't spoken directly to President Barack Obama about the flap. But he said "the president believes -- I think all of us believe -- that the very least we can do is show our gratitude and thanks to somebody that served our country so admirably."
He went on to say that "it's silly to ... think that somebody that's done that can't have a flagpole and ... show the proper respect and appreciation that any flag deserves by flying that in their neighborhood."
Other supporters include U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb, both Virginia Democrats. They and veterans groups have rallied behind Barfoot, who was awarded the lofty Congressional honor for actions including standing up to three German tanks with a bazooka and stopping their advance.
Warner is among those offering to help break the impasse with the Sussex Square homeowners' association, which voted unanimously to ask the senator's office's help in reaching a compromise.
In a letter last week, Webb urged the association to "consider the exceptional nature of Col. Barfoot's service when considering his pride and determination in honoring our flag."
The association in a statement said the dispute is not about the American flag but the flagpole.
Barfoot's fight also has lit up veterans bulletin boards and blog sites supporting him.
Barfoot won the Medal of Honor for actions while his platoon was under German assault near Carano, Italy, in May 1944.
He also won the Purple Heart and other decorations, and served in Korea and Vietnam before retiring from the service in 1974.
The Associated Press left a message at a number listed for the homeowners group early Tuesday seeking comment
Retired Army Col. Van T. Barfoot, a World War II veteran, is fighting to keep the 21-foot pole at his suburban Richmond home. His homeowners association said the pole violates the neighborhood's aesthetic guidelines. It pushed back a deadline to remove it to Friday.
Gibbs said during a briefing that he hasn't spoken directly to President Barack Obama about the flap. But he said "the president believes -- I think all of us believe -- that the very least we can do is show our gratitude and thanks to somebody that served our country so admirably."
He went on to say that "it's silly to ... think that somebody that's done that can't have a flagpole and ... show the proper respect and appreciation that any flag deserves by flying that in their neighborhood."
Other supporters include U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb, both Virginia Democrats. They and veterans groups have rallied behind Barfoot, who was awarded the lofty Congressional honor for actions including standing up to three German tanks with a bazooka and stopping their advance.
Warner is among those offering to help break the impasse with the Sussex Square homeowners' association, which voted unanimously to ask the senator's office's help in reaching a compromise.
In a letter last week, Webb urged the association to "consider the exceptional nature of Col. Barfoot's service when considering his pride and determination in honoring our flag."
The association in a statement said the dispute is not about the American flag but the flagpole.
Barfoot's fight also has lit up veterans bulletin boards and blog sites supporting him.
Barfoot won the Medal of Honor for actions while his platoon was under German assault near Carano, Italy, in May 1944.
He also won the Purple Heart and other decorations, and served in Korea and Vietnam before retiring from the service in 1974.
The Associated Press left a message at a number listed for the homeowners group early Tuesday seeking comment
Rebel Zuk said:never thought Id see the day where someone would defend the HOA over this hero.... :
x1000000!!! Anyone who could think the HOA has any ground should get off their butt and go defend this nation just to get a small taste of what it's like. If they have no more appreciation for America than that perhaps don't deserve to be one. [smirk]
gmj2fast
Well-known member
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said today it is ?ridiculous? for the Sussex Square community association not to let a Medal of Honor winner fly the American flag from a flagpole in his yard.
?I support this guy. He?s proud of this country,? Kaine said on the ?Ask the Governor? radio program on radio station WRVA.
The neighborhood association says its covenant prohibits flags flying from freestanding poles. They can be flown from the side of the house.
Col. Van T. Barfoot won a Medal of Honor in World War II. He is 90 years old.
Kaine said he has not been in touch with Barfoot or the association, but said he was glad to deliver the message over the radio.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/kaine_backs_barfoot_in_flagpole_dispute/309537/
?I support this guy. He?s proud of this country,? Kaine said on the ?Ask the Governor? radio program on radio station WRVA.
The neighborhood association says its covenant prohibits flags flying from freestanding poles. They can be flown from the side of the house.
Col. Van T. Barfoot won a Medal of Honor in World War II. He is 90 years old.
Kaine said he has not been in touch with Barfoot or the association, but said he was glad to deliver the message over the radio.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/kaine_backs_barfoot_in_flagpole_dispute/309537/
t0nKaTrAcKeR said:
:
: : [lame]Thats total BS. This whole thing is BS, the HOA seemed at first to try to pick a fight for something so miniscule (that, as I read it, the flagpole has been there for years) just so they can "improve" the way their neighborhood looks and the power of the HOA. I think the quoted statement is what they are saying now to backtrack some so they dont look like the badguy here.
I hate HOAs.
sammi_davis
Well-known member
I am glad it turned out like this , but sad that it was ever an issue .
Workamper
Well-known member
Rebel Zuk said:never thought Id see the day where someone would defend the HOA over this hero.... :
If that was directed at me.... you need to go back and read my post...... I was teasing about the old lady.... although it's possible her chocolate Chip cookies taste better than his Medal of Honor
in any case, I'm glad they all finally came to an equitable compromise
Hero flies Flag
and
Old lady learns to live with it.....
Yah, that sounds like a good arrangement to me ...........
