Veteran, Henrico neighborhood at odds over flag
Related Info
VIDEO: Medal of Honor recipient draws support in fight for flagpole
FACEBOOK: Find out more about Col. Barfoot’s supporters on his Facebook fan page
Read our complete coverage of the flagpole controversy involving Col. Van T. Barfoot and his homeowners association
Back in Mississippi where he grew up, highway signs honor Col. Van T. Barfoot.
In March, the state legislature designated a stretch of state Route 16 near Carthage "The Col. Van T. Barfoot Medal of Honor Highway."
At the dedication last month at the Big Horn Restaurant, Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall said this:
Barfoot's "commitment and dedication of service to his country allows us to enjoy the freedom we experience every day."
Barfoot is 90. In May 1944, when he was an Army sergeant, he moved alone into German lines near Carano, Italy, destroyed three machine-gun placements, and took 17 prisoners.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He has fought in three wars and received the Purple Heart with three clusters.
Yesterday at the Virginia War Memorial, Barfoot was recognized at Veterans Day ceremonies. He received a standing ovation.
Last night, he got back to his Sussex Square town house in western Henrico County -- a few miles from his daughter and a few miles from the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, known as state Route 288. He has lived there since June.
Sussex Square is a different place than Carano or Carthage, the war memorial in Richmond or even the veterans highway near his home.
In Sussex Square, Barfoot is a violator.
He is flying the American flag from a flagpole, a violation of the community's standards.
"I put it up the second day I moved here. In Amelia, where I lived for 26 years, I flew the flag every day," he said.
Each evening, he strikes the colors, folding the flag in the three-corner military style that he has known since childhood.
"His father taught him the flag meant freedom and country," said Margaret Nichols, Barfoot's daughter.
It would be OK, according to the colonel, if the flag were on a pole attached to the porch or doorway.
"But I've always flown the flag from a staff," he said. Barfoot could be penalized up to $10 a day.
"There's never been a day in my life or a place I've lived in my life that you couldn't fly the American flag," he said. "I feel like things aren't right."
Said Nichols: "He's digging in his heels."
Contact Bill McKelway at (804) 6496601 or
.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Just so’s all can see even if they visit here, here is the “violation” which violates this HOA’s “aesthetic” taste. They must be morons.
God bless Col. Barfoot!
I also second Ramblinman’s sentiment.
My father served in the military for over 30 years.. went to war etc.. I sacrificed a lot during my childhood so that he could serve his duty. So.. I completely understand his allegiance to our country and respect the service he gave.
However, those rules were in place before he moved there. If he was dead set on flying a flag.. he should have approached the board to find out if there was a possibility of getting a variance. If they wouldn’t agree to an exception.. he should have moved somewhere else that would allow it.
The bottom line is that I think this is something that the board could have approved.. and maybe it is something that they should.. I guess they have seen too many cheesy looking flagpoles and felt they didn’t look good (no matter what was flying from them). I have seen nice flag poles.. and I have seen eyesores all rusty etc..
I also dislike HOA’s.. that’s why I live on my own land.. no HOA, just whatever restrictions the government wants to dream up..lol. However, many people who live in subdivisions do appreciate the fact that they can help maintain property values by enforcing codes that discourage unsightly property conditions.
I join with the majority of the posters here who have expressed their outrage over Col. Barfoot’s treatment.
Rules are indeed rules, but in some cases, concerns for respect and dignity must take precedence over them. Surely both Col Barfoot’s past service and his actions today exemplify the greatest reverence while causing no harm to others. Common sense dictates that he is worthy of our deepest gratitude—not to be hassled for what is the HOA’s extraordinarily petty behavior.
Col. Barfoot’s contributions seem almost larger than life. What a pity there are so many small people in this world focused upon undermining his honorable efforts.
Ramblin Man you are correct that people are appraised of the HOA’s prior to moving into their residence. However, it would certainly make sense for each of these HOA’s in these neighborhoods to re-address this issue and ask for votes to amend the staff flying an American Flag as exempt to this rule. That would stop anyone from flying any other flags that would be offensive.
I guess I’m in the minority of thinking but here goes…
I’m a freedom living “originalists” when it comes to the Constitution. I’m a patriot. But everyone has a copy of the HOA regulations made available to them to read before purchasing a property and the guidelines for something like this are not open for interpretation. You KNOW what the rule is. These flag flying folks don’t come across as patriotic to me, they come across as annoying rule breakers.
If you don’t like the rule, work within the system that you agreed to when you accepted HOA management. I don’t really like HOAs either but it is a fact that they help maintain home values and quality but it doesn’t work if everyone decides for themselves to just disobey every rule they personally don’t like.
These flag disputes make the news from time to time. The flag flyers come off as patriots and the challengers come off as ungrateful morons. That man earned the right to fly his flag, and he and men and women like him preserved our freedom so we still have our flag to fly. The HOA should be ashamed of themselves and any rule that limits the proper, respectful display of our nation’s flag.
I hate HOAs and this is the main reason why. How on earth can these people think that prohibiting a war veteran from flying the flag would be uniform to THEIR standards?
Col. Van T. Barfoot, thank you for all the sacrifices that you have made for this country and for us the citizens. Shame on Sussex Square HOA and its members, they apparently don’t know the meaning of the word “freedom”. All rules have exceptions and this I’m sure would not cause any eye sores in the neighborhood. BTW, Sussex Square residents should protest and take the HOA down.
It looks as though Colonel Barfoot is not one to back down from a fight….so I hope he stands strong on this, as he has done in the past! you GO, Sir!
Exactly Godfather. I would like to add that displaying the American flag on a pole from your home is fine, but there are those times, unfortunately, that there is a need to fly the flag at half-staff. You can’t do that on a little pole attached to your house. It’s a matter of respect. I see a freedom being tramped on here.
“Posted by jerry78linda on November 12, 2009 at 1:03 pm “
We use to see these kind of people pariodied on TV series. The Gladys Kravits and so forth. But sadly there are too many out there that use the freedom this man bought for them to trample on his rights.
You are right Jerry. They need to get a life. There is a difference between flying an American flag and flying your favorite football team’s flag. They dont seem to understand the difference.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement