HOA vs 90y.o. medal of honor vet over flag

RACER X · 12-03-2009, 06:10 PM

Decorated Veteran, 90, Fights to Raise Flag in His Yard

Thursday , December 03, 2009

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A veteran of three wars who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor is now facing an unlikely enemy — his neighbors.

Col. Van T. Barfoot, 90, has raised the Stars and Stripes every day at sunrise and lowered them every day at sunset since he served in the U.S. Army. But on Tuesday he received a letter from the law firm that represents his homeowners' association, ordering him to remove the flagpole from his Richmond, Va. yard by 5 p.m. on Friday or face "legal action."

SLIDESHOW: Medal of Honor Winner Col. Van Barfoot

The homoeowners' association at Sussex Square community told Barfoot that the freestanding, 21-foot flagpole that he put up in September violates the neighborhood's aesthetic guidelines.

Barfoot had sought permission to install the pole shortly after he moved into the community — a complex of townhouses where the grounds are community property — last June. The board denied his request in July.

But Barfoot and his family say there is no provision in Sussex Square's rules that forbids erecting flagpoles. And for Barfoot, that's a cause worth fighting for.

"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," Barfoot said in an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

In a statement released last night, the association sought to defend its position against a growing chorus of outrage.

"This is not about the American flag. This is about a flagpole," reads the statement from the association, which insists that Barfoot directly violated its board's July ruling.

"Col. Barfoot is free to display the American flag in conformity with the neighborhood rules and restrictions. We are hopeful that Col. Barfoot will comply."

The statement reminded the public that many American flags hang from homes in the Sussex Square community, and that the board members object only to Barfoot's freestanding flagpole.

But Barfoot says he has always flown the flag from a height: "Where I've been, fighting wars ... military installations, parades, everything else, the flag is vertical. And I've done it that way since I was in the Army," Barfoot told the paper.

Barfoot is one of the country's last living World War II veterans who received the Medal of Honor. He also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War and earned a Purple Heart. In WWII, Barfoot showed his mettle in Carano, Italy, where he single-handedly destroyed a set of German machine gun nests, killed eight enemy soldiers, took 17 prisoners and stared down a tank before destroying it and killing its crew — all in a single day. Exhausted by his herculean efforts, he still managed to move two of his wounded men 1,700 yards to safety.

"Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers," reads the official citation for his Medal of Honor.

Barfoot's resolve is now once again being tested.

"I've flown the flag at my home as long as I can remember," said Barfoot, who lived in rural Amelia County before moving to suburban Richmond. "This is the first time in the last 36 years that I've been unable to put my flag up on the same pole, the same staff and take it down when it's time to come down.

"I don't have any qualms with [the board's] authority, but the thing about it is that I cannot get enough conversation out of them where we can try to work out a solution," Barfoot said.

Neighbors largely have expressed their support, but he realizes that ultimately it's up to the nine-member association board whether to grant an exception to the rules.

"Emotional torture is what they've done to my father," said his daughter, Margaret Nicholls. "He has lost sleep, he worries about it constantly. He just doesn't understand. He thinks that if it's on his property they can't tell him what to do."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579147,00.html

GRRRRRRR

Apoc · 12-03-2009, 06:13 PM

another reason I would NEVER buy a home in an area with a HOA.

derf · 12-03-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apoc

another reason I would NEVER buy a home in an area with a HOA.

Yup. And what sucks is that the guy has to go through this.

Smittie61984 · 12-03-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apoc

another reason I would NEVER buy a home in an area with a HOA.

One thing I like about HOAs is they are the perfect example of what happens when you give a dumbass power. They are like mini-politicians. Anyone who could run a HOA well, would never take the job (probably because they have a job).

I'm about to head to class so no time to read the whole thing but if he bought a house in there and signed a contract saying no flag poles, flags, or pink kittens then he should adhere to the rules.

BobTheBiker · 12-03-2009, 06:34 PM

the HOA needs to leave this country, clearly they have no appreciation for the man's sacrifices for their rights. if you've got a problem with the US flag, you're gonna piss off a LOT of patriotic americans, and a LOT MORE veterans that fought for us. just common sense.

Tmall · 12-03-2009, 07:00 PM

He should get a 50 foot flag laid out on his lawn for a few weeks. See if they'll reconsider after that.

Kaneman · 12-03-2009, 08:03 PM

HOA's should be outlawed.

SteveP · 12-04-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmall

He should get a 50 foot flag laid out on his lawn for a few weeks. See if they'll reconsider after that.

A decorated war veteran laying a flag on the ground?

I agree that HOA are the devil. I rented a house with an HOA once and the whole neighborhood creeped me out.

Tmall · 12-04-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveP

A decorated war veteran laying a flag on the ground?

Touche sir.. Touche..

How can HOAs legally have a leg to stand on?

Rider · 12-04-2009, 11:01 AM

Our HOA allows flag poles. Sounds like this guy picked a shitty place to move in to. It pays to ask questions about the community rules before you buy. I'm not saying the HOA is right, those people are fucking whacked, but he should have done more homework on the HOA and their bogus rules.

12-03-2009, 06:10 PM	#1
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	HOA vs 90y.o. medal of honor vet over flag Decorated Veteran, 90, Fights to Raise Flag in His Yard Thursday , December 03, 2009 FC1 ADVERTISEMENT A veteran of three wars who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor is now facing an unlikely enemy — his neighbors. Col. Van T. Barfoot, 90, has raised the Stars and Stripes every day at sunrise and lowered them every day at sunset since he served in the U.S. Army. But on Tuesday he received a letter from the law firm that represents his homeowners' association, ordering him to remove the flagpole from his Richmond, Va. yard by 5 p.m. on Friday or face "legal action." SLIDESHOW: Medal of Honor Winner Col. Van Barfoot The homoeowners' association at Sussex Square community told Barfoot that the freestanding, 21-foot flagpole that he put up in September violates the neighborhood's aesthetic guidelines. Barfoot had sought permission to install the pole shortly after he moved into the community — a complex of townhouses where the grounds are community property — last June. The board denied his request in July. But Barfoot and his family say there is no provision in Sussex Square's rules that forbids erecting flagpoles. And for Barfoot, that's a cause worth fighting for. "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," Barfoot said in an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. In a statement released last night, the association sought to defend its position against a growing chorus of outrage. "This is not about the American flag. This is about a flagpole," reads the statement from the association, which insists that Barfoot directly violated its board's July ruling. "Col. Barfoot is free to display the American flag in conformity with the neighborhood rules and restrictions. We are hopeful that Col. Barfoot will comply." The statement reminded the public that many American flags hang from homes in the Sussex Square community, and that the board members object only to Barfoot's freestanding flagpole. But Barfoot says he has always flown the flag from a height: "Where I've been, fighting wars ... military installations, parades, everything else, the flag is vertical. And I've done it that way since I was in the Army," Barfoot told the paper. Barfoot is one of the country's last living World War II veterans who received the Medal of Honor. He also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War and earned a Purple Heart. In WWII, Barfoot showed his mettle in Carano, Italy, where he single-handedly destroyed a set of German machine gun nests, killed eight enemy soldiers, took 17 prisoners and stared down a tank before destroying it and killing its crew — all in a single day. Exhausted by his herculean efforts, he still managed to move two of his wounded men 1,700 yards to safety. "Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers," reads the official citation for his Medal of Honor. Barfoot's resolve is now once again being tested. "I've flown the flag at my home as long as I can remember," said Barfoot, who lived in rural Amelia County before moving to suburban Richmond. "This is the first time in the last 36 years that I've been unable to put my flag up on the same pole, the same staff and take it down when it's time to come down. "I don't have any qualms with [the board's] authority, but the thing about it is that I cannot get enough conversation out of them where we can try to work out a solution," Barfoot said. Neighbors largely have expressed their support, but he realizes that ultimately it's up to the nine-member association board whether to grant an exception to the rules. "Emotional torture is what they've done to my father," said his daughter, Margaret Nicholls. "He has lost sleep, he worries about it constantly. He just doesn't understand. He thinks that if it's on his property they can't tell him what to do." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579147,00.html GRRRRRRR __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

12-03-2009, 06:13 PM	#2
Apoc For Science. You Monster. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Moto: '08 HD FLSTSB Posts: 3,546	another reason I would NEVER buy a home in an area with a HOA. __________________ Android OS causes gay. Dont let your child use Android (unless she's a hot female). And dont let your babies grow up to be cowboys, either.

12-03-2009, 08:03 PM	#7
Kaneman AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Odessa, TX Moto: 2000 Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird Posts: 4,931	HOA's should be outlawed. __________________ 1982 Honda XR80 - blown motor, 1993 Kawasaki ZX6D - sold, 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200S - sold, 1984 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R - blown motor, 2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom - totalled, 2003 Yamaha FZ1 - sold, 1994 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Honda CBR600F4i - sold, 1998 Suzuki DR350 - stolen, 1989 Honda Super Magna - sold, 2007 Yamaha Stratoliner, 2000 Honda CBR 1100XX Blackbird

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12-03-2009, 06:34 PM	#5
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	the HOA needs to leave this country, clearly they have no appreciation for the man's sacrifices for their rights. if you've got a problem with the US flag, you're gonna piss off a LOT of patriotic americans, and a LOT MORE veterans that fought for us. just common sense.

12-03-2009, 07:00 PM	#6
Tmall Aspiring Rapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Halifax, NS Moto: '12 CB1000R Posts: 3,569	He should get a 50 foot flag laid out on his lawn for a few weeks. See if they'll reconsider after that.

12-04-2009, 11:01 AM	#10
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	Our HOA allows flag poles. Sounds like this guy picked a shitty place to move in to. It pays to ask questions about the community rules before you buy. I'm not saying the HOA is right, those people are fucking whacked, but he should have done more homework on the HOA and their bogus rules.