Medal of Honor Winner Told ‘Take Down That Flagpole’

What an insult to our country and one of its heros. What is wrong with these people? Are they anti-veteran or just anti-American? Who do they think fought and died to give them the freedom to have a flag flying? If the court allows this it should hang its head in shame!

These people from the homeowners association must be stoned. They should have to take a pee test immediately. How dare they try to pull this junk. They should be ashamed.

There needs to be a moratorium on HOA’s nationwide.
The developers have turned the HOA into a Gestapo-like organization, and we need to see a ban or at least some major restrictions on the formation of these kinds of groups.
Not only are they fascist in nature, but the costs of supporting them are outrageous!

If this was an islamic symbol – nothing would be said.

I bet the Sussex Square Homeowners Association will regret this decision.
It doesn’t look good for them.
We’re with you, Col. Barfoot.

All Americans that love thier freedom should rally around this great American.
All retired and anyone that has served this country in uniform should cry out loud at out pitiful legislaters and force them to support our flag and any and all symbols of freedom, including the Ten Commandments.

Not even the President of the United States and the entire Congress has the right to tell a war hero to take down the flag he fought for. I seriously doubt if that little homeowner’s association is collectively qualified to polish the Colonel’s boots.
My step-father served in Korea. I would not tolerate anyone telling him to take down his flag. I’d fight to keep mine and I’m not even a veteran! The people in that community and the entire state should take action immediately.
While we at it, I doubt if anyone at ABC is qualified to refer to Col. Barfoot by his last name alone. That’s Col. Barfoot or Mister Barfoot to most of us. And don’t forget to add ‘sir’ when you address him. The man has earned proper respect, show it.
We should have expected better of ABC.

Even though the HOA has it in their covenent to prohibit flagpoles, they should make an exception for this hero and be proud that he lives in their community.

Susses Square Homeowners Association Board should be ashamed. They dishonor their father and their mothers. They bring shame to each of their names. They should resign in mass. Americans everywhere should pay whatever it cost to support Col. Barfoot in this fight.

Well, you people seem to comment a lot while not knowing much of the story. Col Barfoot requested permission in July 09 to erect the flagpole and was denied permission (He was flying the flag off his porch). September 0f 09 he erected the flagpole anyway. I love my country, seved 25 years in the Infantry, but he knew the standards and refused to follow them.

sorry about the typo: ” . . HOW the other residents feel . . .”

Dear “Oonogil”;
To quote you:
Dear Mr. Mike Lee,
>You can write whatever you want in a HOA agreement, it doesn’t mean it’s legal.
It is against common sense and the law to prevent Col. Van T. Barfoot from having a flagpole and displaying old glory.
Period.<
You are correct, but not to the extent you seem to think. Illegal items – stipulating that a property MUST have marijuana growing on it, for example – can not be enforced in a HOA covenant.
But there are no statutes which stipulate that every person has a "right" to fly a Confederate, Turkish, Russian, Italian or U.S. flag. Furthermore, when Col. Barfoot signed the restrictive covenant agreement, he specifically waived that option.
Specifications as to type of fence, whether front yard fences may be erected, specie of lawn grass, specie of trees and shrubs, decorative lighting, color of mailbox, etc. all can be included in restrictive covenants and can – and WILL – be enforced in chancery courts all over the U.S.
You don't need an attorney to learn about that — just talk with any licensed real estate broker.
Col. Barfoot was previously displaying the flag from his front porch, which didn't violate the covenant. But, when he decided he wanted a flagpole and undertook a unilateral modification of the contract he'd signed. A legally binding and enforceable contract. If the HOA fails to respond to that, they effectively set a precedent that essentially guts the entire agreement. The next homeowner might decide to put a billboard in his front yard!
As Rush Limbaugh put it "words MEAN things!."

The HOA is an embarrassment to the State of Virginia and to the United States. It sounds to me like the HOA are a bunch of effete snobs, who never served our country, never put on a uniform and never made a significant contribution to the USA. They are the kind of folks that this country can easily do without.

oonogil:
I could agree that he should be allowed to fly his flag, and that the community should definitely be honored to have him in their midst. But re: ABC being “qualified” to call Col. Barfoot by his last name, that is ridiculous. It is correct, in journalistic style, to refer to the man by his last name after he has been identified in the first place. It is not, as you imply, a matter of disrespect. Further, you would only call him “Sir” if you were addressing him directly. (I’m an Army veteran AND a former journalist.)

I’m a Canadian and one of the things I’ve always respected and admired about the USA was it’s enthusiasm in displaying Old Glory. I’m jelous of America.
Col. Barfoot is a hero in my eyes and every American should stand with him in defending his right to fly the flag. He fought in two wars – probably lost friends in both of them.
Celebrate your Hero’s don’t embarass them with attempts at removing his rights that he fought for – both himself and America.
Col. Barfoot – fly the flag If they stop you – come to my home in Canada and Fly the American Flag – I would be proud to meet you and stand with you on this.

Is this why the ‘great state of virginia’ wants to be referred to as ‘The Commonwealth of virginia’? The ‘people’ of the HOA should walk up and thank Col. Barfoot for his meritorious service to this country! It goes against what this country stands for, by forcing a Medal of Honor veteran to remove the flag he fought for and made sacrifices for! What are they going to do next, make President Obama remove the US flag form the White House? Wish they would come and try to make me remove mine! They are as unpatriotic as daylights! Sussex Square should be called ‘Little Berlin’!

Bob, the HOA should have consented to Col. Barfoot’s request. That is one reasons many of us vets have a bad taste in our mouth for how we have been treated by some of these ‘good citizens’ we fought to protect. When I came home from SE Asia, I was not treated as a hero, I was among the many that was shoved off in a closet and forgotten. But now, the men and women in Irag and Afghanistan understand what we were up against- fighting insurgents instead of a recognized military force. Our country owes its gratitude to Col. Barfoot and all the others who fought to defend it.

Please let the poor vet fly our flag. without that flag you would not have your HOA to start with. Mr Barfoot fly that with pride it looks better in your front yard,than it does on Larry Flynnts butt in our federal courthouse!

So what if this guy is a veteran? Why should that mean he doesn’t have to follow the same HOA rules as everyone else? I’m sure he was given a copy of the rules when he moved in, and it was his choice to then live there.

This is why I don’t like HOAs and would never purchase a property that has one on the deed. If I purchase a home It is my home not their’s! I’m retired I have a flap pole in my front yard and a fifth wheel tucked up behind my front set back line when not in use. I like my life style and don’t want anyone to direct me what to do. However I also respect my neighbors and their property. I hope he wins and the HOA allows the pole to stay!

I too live in a HOA and was on the board for many years and know about all those restrictions but they are mainly to keep someone’s property from decreasing in value due to junk in the yard. So, I’m with the Colonel on this one!!! Let us know if you need any help, Colonel!!! When we had our satellite dish installed they put it in the back side yard, them months later the receeption got bad so they came back and moved it to the roof. Then we went to HD and couldn’t get anything so they came back and I had them put it on the side of our front yard in line with a tree. You can’t see it unless you really look for it because of the branches, but someone complained. We told them we had no choice. We also had 2 in our HOA that had white roofs put on. Tell me that didn’t stand out!! When he changes his roof, I’lll change my dish!!!

I wonder what “aesthetic” they are protecting in Henrico County. Isn’t that the area that was called “The Wilderness” during the Civil War? Creeps!

No one in this country has the right to tell another person that they may not fly our color’s ( in ground pole or not)–providing they follow the rules for flag etiquette–& especially not a M.O.H. gentleman–they should shake his hand.

It is unfortunate the Home owners cannot find a way to keep the flag flying. It should remind all of us that as long as our troops are in harm’s way as long as the two wars now in progress will soon be going to Dover soon enough. I fly my Flag day and night with the flag illuminated per flag etiquette

Where to start…….If I ever have the honor to meet Col. Barefoot I would one, salute the man because I am a retired Master/Sergeant , United States Army and this is a show of respect to those recipients of the Medal of Honor.Next, I would ask him to sign my Medal of Honor book given to me by another Medal of Honor recipient. The salute is an honor that military and veterans understand as both a sign of respect and a greeting between military personnel and only they have this privilege.
As for the HOA, let me say that they have their rights as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution because of veterans. The news reporters have their free press rights because of veterans. The same for members of the many religious denominations.
Where does America get people like Col. Barefoot ? They are us ! They are ordinary people who choose to take on the daunting task of being a warrior.It is this group of men and women who face death and the long separations from their family and friends so we have all that America provides for it’s people.
Flag waiver ? yes I am and I have seen countries where even the thought of disagreeing with the government could put you on the wall. Come on America, take the time to contact this HOA group and let them know that their attention to a mans flag is misdirected and most certainly UN-American. after all the flag is the sign of freedom and people around the world die trying to reach our shores through out the year. Ever see a line at the North Korean or Cuban or Iran consulate with people trying to get a visa to enter that county ? As for the veterans and our military they have laid to rest their Buddy’s and family members under our flag…More than a symbol this is who we are.

It is a smack in the face to all Veterans when one is told they cannot fly the flag, especially a Medal of Honor recipient. I am a retired veteran and I also have a problem with it being an expression of Freedom of Speech to burn one. Not in America and better not be IN FRONT OF ME! I was trained to defend and protect it and all that it stands for.