Col. Van Barfoot, Medal of Honor recipient, dies at 92

[underpants]

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

Van Thomas Barfoot, a retired Army colonel and World War II Medal of Honor recipient who gained national attention in his fight to keep the U.S. flag flying in his front yard, died Friday in a Henrico County hospital.

In 2009, Col. Barfoot made headlines after he erected a 21-foot flagpole at his Sussex Square residence without the permission of his homeowners association. The association, which allowed flags to be flown on angled poles attached to houses, ordered it removed and threatened legal action when he refused.

The ensuing furor drew the support of two senators, a former Virginia governor, other leaders and veterans before the association backed down. (The Richmond Times fails to mention that the Obama White House also supported Mr. Barfoot)

"Col. Barfoot was a remarkable man who demonstrated tremendous bravery in military service to his country during three wars," said Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va.



Read more: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/news/2012/mar/03/tdmain01-col-van-barfoot-decorated-wwii-veteran-di-ar-1736579/

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During an action that left his squad isolated and communications cut off, he advanced alone on May 23 through the minefield, crawling to a German machine gun nest, which he destroyed with a hand grenade. He took out another machine gun nest with his machine gun and received the surrender of a third German machine gun crew.

Later that day, he borrowed a bazooka and "took up an exposed position directly in front of three advancing Mark VI tanks," his Medal of Honor citation says. "From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other two changed direction toward the flank.

"He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech.

"While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted two of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety."

During his efforts, he had killed eight and captured 17 German soldiers.

[1620rock]

1. Seems that there is no such thing as "private property" in the US anymore.

[2ndAmForComputers]

4. HOAs are where individual rights go to die.

Horrible, horrible entities.

[Ikonoklast]

8. Then don't buy a home with deed restrictions.

You *voluntarily* gave up some rights to a HOA when you made the purchase.

Sorry, but either do the due diligence and read the covenants before you sign, or don't complain later.

[2ndAmForComputers]

10. That's all fine and dandy...

...until all available houses in your area are in condos like this. Luckily, that's not the case where I live.

[Posteritatis]

11. Or the agreements change, or a neighbour with a grudge starts splitting hairs... (nt)

[24601]

13. Your information is incomplete. For almost 20 years we lived in Columbia, Maryland, a planned

community with covenants & architectural guidlines. Columbia officially is an unincorporated very large HOA of about 100,000 residents. Government services are provided via Howard County, MD.

Although created by "evil" wealthy develeper (top 1% within the larger 1% - the late James Rouse), Columbia is known internationally for its progressive vision, especially racial social tolerance.

For example, when most of our nation was fighting against black-white marriages, Columbia took the opposite track and the town became a magnet for couples seeking an environment of acceptance. That continues today and Columbia enjoys a large demographic for mixed-race families.

So HOAs are not all bad just because they have rules covering outside appearance.

"In 2006, Money magazine ranked Columbia (together with Ellicott City, its neighbor to the north) #4 out of the 100 "Best Places to Live" in the United States. In 2008, Columbia and Ellicott City were ranked #8 on this list. In 2010, Columbia and Ellicott City were ranked #2 on this list."

Here's a wiki link for Columbia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia,_Maryland

[OmahaBlueDog]

2. RIP, Colonel

..and for the record, I think winners of this nation's highest decoration for valor should be able to fly flags anywhere they please.

[Red Mountain]

9. Damn straight.

That is all.

[Tom Ripley]

3. That was a man

Rest In Peace

[2ndAmForComputers]

5. While his wife was expected their first child,,,

...she was Ms. Barfoot and pregnant.

Groan at will.

[whistler162]

6. And

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=9CdVTCDdEwI

Safe journey Colonel.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. May he rest in peace

[Ferretherder]

12. When I read about a confrontation like this...

...(the one between Mr. Barfoot and the Home Owners Association), I usually assume that the flag waving person in question is a possible 'right-wing, super-patriot type' and just looking for an excuse to trot out his patriotic superiority before his now shamed neighbors (even given my extreme dislike of Home Owners Associations).

Two things.

1. I don't know ANYTHING about the person in question, here....and I suppose this would apply to most anecdotal situations, come to think of it.

2. In this particular case, the person in question, the late Mr. Barfoot, seems to have MORE than earned his right to display his country's flag in an otherwise, seemingly appropriate manner, in his own front yard.

So.........

...maybe I should not just assume what I don't really know to be true about this man, and instead, stand back and salute his bravery and service to his fellow soldiers, and wish him well in his fight against the tyrannical HOA and their insistence on homogenous conformity.

By the way, this is not some sanctimonious rant against ANYONE or even any number of typical posters here on DU; this is just a way for ME to say that maybe I need to step back and look at ALL sides of a situation before assuming the worst.

And, RIP Mr. Barfoot. You were, evidently, an incredible individual, and a justifiably proud American.