Author Topic: A 'Best of' post from DU: Col. Van Barfoot, Medal of Honor recipient, dies at 92  (Read 935 times)

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Offline Georgia Bulldog

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/101466965#post1

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

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/


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. 

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1620rock
1. Seems that there is no such thing as "private property" in the US anymore. 

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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.

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Red Mountain
9. Damn straight.

That is all. 

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Tom Ripley
3. That was a man

Rest In Peace     

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whistler162
6. And

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

Safe journey Colonel.             

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Tuesday Afternoon
7. May he rest in peace         


This last reply actually surprised me somewhat:
 
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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.             
An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile -- hoping it will eat him last.

Winston Churchill
1874-1965, British Statesman, Prime Minister

The Democrats say that the United States has had its days in the sun, that our nation has passed its zenith. My fellow citizens, I utterly reject that view.

Ronald Reagan
40th US President, 1911-2004

Offline obumazombie

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No way can these people be liberals when they so rightly credit Col Barfoot for his heroic service.
There were only two options for gender. At last count there are at least 12, according to libs. By that standard, I'm a male lesbian.

Offline thundley4

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1620rock
1. Seems that there is no such thing as "private property" in the US anymore.

That is what most of you DUmmies want, isn't it?