American Valor – Military Tribute

"The chess match between Col. Van T. Barfoot and the Sussex Square Homeowners’ Association continues.

Ozark Honor Flight

The Ozark Honor Flight was a perfect tribute for military veterans according to Morsey Saunders who wrote this article and submitted it to the Springfield, MO News Leader.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all who sponsored the Ozark Honor Flight to Washington, DC. to see all those wonderful sites. My favorite was observing the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

Yesterday gave me a sense of gratification for being a fellow serviceman along with those who died for this country. Times pass, and we tend to store memories of those who did not come home. However, seeing all those memorial sites brought them flooding back. Memories of fellow men serving next to me will never be forgotten. Time can never erase such memories.

As a young man, I was eager to join the military to be a part of the men and women protecting our fine country. I tried to enlist while still attending school; however, the recruiter said no, I had to complete my schooling. Immediately upon graduation, I headed straight back to that recruiting office, where I was accepted. After my basic training, I was fortunate to become a Marine pilot. I flew aircraft from the Escort
Carrier Guadalcanal, as well as being stationed in Peking, China, where I flew missions over the Great Wall of China.

Thank you again for your consideration to me as a veteran. Also, to give appreciation to all who wrote thank-you letters to each of the veterans taking this flight. What a treat getting "Mail Call," as it was during the war.

Plus a special thank you to the guardians who volunteered to assist each of us.

This background on the Ozark Honor Flight was written by Paula Morehouse with KY3 News in Branson, MO

SPRINGFIELD — Just before 8 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, nearly 400 Japanese warplanes attacked the home port of the United States’ pacific fleet. Sixty-eight years later, from the banks of Lake Taneycomo in Branson, some of the survivors of that attack and other veterans of World War 2 listened to the National Anthem and remembered.

"If you want to feel like you were there, it was organized confusion and nobody knew what was going on," said Pearl Harbor survivor Al Collins.

From a VFW hall in Springfield more than six decades later, they read the old headlines and they remembered.

"The worst thing about it was the people that were burnt. They had hundreds of ‘em in the barracks there and nothing to ease their pain or nothing, it was terrible," said Pearl Harbor survivor Guy Piper. "I saw these three planes coming and I saw one get the California."

"Everybody was running every which way, and we didn’t know what to to run from," said Collins

When the smoke started to dissipate from the onslaught of bombs and bullets, more than 2,000 Americans died.

On this day, Americans across the country, including the Ozarks, pause to remember Pearl Harbor and our World War 2 heroes.

"It was total dedication. They volunteered to sign up the next day and went over there," said Chip Milner, who served in Vietnam.

The time to pay homage is fading. The number of World War 2 veterans left in the United States is fast disappearing, dying at a rate of more than 900 a day.

Those who fought, survived and are still able to tell their story said the lessons of the World War 2 should also be remembered.

"We ought to know what’s going on around us, instead of forgetting that it can happen," said Collins.

Last Nov. 17, a planeload of World War 2 veterans took part in the first Ozarks Honor Flight, which takes our heroes to Washington, D.C., to see the National World War 2 Memorial. The next Ozarks Honor Flight is tentatively scheduled for next April 13.

The veterans fly free, the guardians and volunteers pay their way. Donations are always welcome for future Honor Flights. You can send tax-deductible contributions right here to KY3.

We also have a special phone number to call and make a donation 417-268-3390.

‘Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
Anywhere could be found.

The people were too busy
With Christmas time chores
Like decorating and baking,
And shopping in stores.

No one sang "Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed."
They just sang of Santa
All dressed in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart.
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
The presents they’d wrap.

When what from the TV
Did just ring in their ears?
But an ad.. which told
Of a big sale at Sears!!

So away to the mall
They all flew like a flash…
Buying things on credit…
And others with cash!

As they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no… not at all.

Their lives were so busy
With their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Jesus Christ, "King of Kings."

There were presents to wrap
And more cookies to bake.
How could they remember
Who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior…
They had no time to stop.
‘Cause they needed more time
To "Shop till they dropped!"

On Walmart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney’s!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny’s.

From the big stores downtown
To the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
And visit them all!

And up on the roof,
There arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung lights
With his big brand new ladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that all twirled.
Yet, he never prayed once to
The "Light of the World."

Christ’s eyes… how they twinkle!
Christ’s Spirit… how merry!
Christ’s love… how enormous!
All our burdens… He’ll carry!

Recent media reports, including a broadcast from the Mark Levin Show, uncovered a 90 year old Medal of Honor recipient, Col. Van T. Barfoot, who was ordered by his homeowner association last week to remove a flagpole from his yard, where he raises the American flag faithfully each morning. The HOA argued that the flagpole hurt the aesthetic value of the property.

"I was appalled to learn that one of our decorated Congressional Medal of Honor veterans was being prevented from proudly displaying the Flag of the United States of America in an honorable way," said Rep. McKeon.  "This reminds me of that famous quote by George Washington: ‘The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.’  Our service men and women – especially those living with honors and distinction- should be allowed to fly the flag that represents the very freedoms they fought so hard to protect."

"It’s a sad day when a veteran of three wars is told he cannot fly the American flag on a pole outside of his home," said Republican Whip Cantor.  "Col. Barfoot made countless sacrifices, wore our country’s uniform with honor, and has earned the right to proudly display the American flag.  I thank Col. Barfoot for his service and support his patriotism and efforts, as well as those here in the House, to allow him to fly his flag." 

Additionally, Senator Mark Warner had his office issue this statement today:

"The Sussex Square Homeowners Association Board has agreed to withdraw legal action previously announced for Friday, December 11, 2009 at 5:00pm against Colonel Van T. Barfoot regarding the flagpole located on his property."

Once in a while the good guys do win.  American Valor, Dad, wishes to say a heartfelt thanks to all the individuals and groups who united to protect the rights and freedom of this American citizen, hero and Veteran!  Thank You!

The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships (two of which were raised and returned to service later in the war) and damaged four more. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircraft, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and
headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not hit. Japanese losses were minimal, with 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 65 servicemen killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured.

Col. Van Barfoot, 90, a World War II and Vietnam veteran, was ordered by the Sussex Square Homeowner’s Association to remove the flagpole from his front lawn after he flew the U.S. flag on Labor Day and Veterans Day. The association is claiming that the flag pole is not "aesthetically appropriate."

"The association underestimated the fight left in this elderly veteran and now they have to contend with the determination and persistence of Col. Barfoot’s 2.5 million friends in The American Legion," National Commander Clarence Hill said. "Col. Barfoot has hired legal counsel. The American Legion is prepared to help with the expenses and fight these disgraceful actions by the association. Where is the common sense here? Is
this anyway to treat any American, much less a true hero like Col Barfoot?"

Fighting for the flag is not new to The American Legion, the nation’s leading authority on flag etiquette. Since 1989, The Legion has been fighting for a constitutional amendment that would grant Congress the authority to protect Old Glory from desecration.

"The flag is a symbol of our country," Hill said. "People should fly it proudly. That’s all Col. Barfoot wants to do. If he were desecrating the flag, instead, the association couldn’t do a thing to stop him. We proudly stand with Col. Barfoot and say ‘enough already!’ Let him keep the flagpole and fly the flag as often as he wants. He certainly earned that right."

PRESIDENT:
GLENN WILSON
11800 N Downs Sq
Henrico, VA 23238-3474
(804) 741-9160

DIRECTOR:
Evelyn L Wilson
(Address same as Glenn Wilson)

TREASURER:
Martha Middleton
11808 Rochampton Square
Richmond, VA 23238

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Contact Information for Coates & Davenport, P.C.

Website:  http://www.coateslaw.com/

Their Contact Us form

5206 Markel Road, Suite 200
Richmond VA 23230
Toll Free: (800) 450-8311
Local Phone: (804) 285-7000
General Fax: (804) 285-2849
Real Estate Fax: (804) 285-3426

Alexandra “Sandra” D. Bowen
5206 Markel Rd
Richmond, VA 23230
804-285-7000
They already have a notice up on their home page saying the world is wrong and misunderstands the request of the HOA…

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And if you would like to drop a note of support to Col Van Barfoot

Van T Barfoot

11815 Coat Bridge Ln,

Richmond, VA 23238

Dad salutes you Col. Barfoot.

Holiday Mail for Heroes is back!

There have been a flurry of emails floating around this year regarding the sending of greeting cards and gifts to our men and women in the service.  One such email has you sending your items to "Any Recovering Veteran".  This was at one point a valid movement but was not properly constructed and fell by the wayside.  Walter Reed Army Hospital and others will not accept shipment to "Any Recovering…"  They must be addressed to a specific individual.  However there is a program in place that is valid and that has been working.  Check this out:

In this season of hope and giving the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, Inc. have joined forces to invite Americans to “send a touch of home” to United States service members and veterans across the country and abroad. In its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an opportunity to share joy and thanks with our service members throughout the holiday season by way of a greeting card.

First, cards from across the nation must be sent to this address:

"The program has already generated a tremendous response in our community and this is our first year participating. Everyone who hears about Holiday Mail wants to be involved because it gives us all the chance to seek out service men and women and veterans and tell them just how special they are and how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice."

– Tammy, Smith County Red Cross Chapter Tyler, Texas.Please don’t forget to follow these guidelines while preparing your holiday greetings!

Do…

Maybe the Sussex Square Homeowners Association should re-evaluate its bylaws.  Bylaws that do not allow the flying of an American flag atop a high pole and who object to the sight of the flag are stupid.  Sorry if that offends you but it is just plain stupid. 

Folks like Col. Barfoot have been putting their lives on the line for centuries, many even sacrificed their lives so that we can do and think and speak as we feel without fear of retribution.  Barfoot is a MOH hero and some snit is offended by his flag.  Maybe it’s the Sussex Square Homeowners Association that should be receiving legal letters telling them that we object to their total lack of pro-American sensitivity. 

Barfoot is one who has earned the right for a small exception.  Actually looking at the video and the footage of the development with all the tall trees, it appears to me that his flag pole actually blends into the surroundings more than the short, angular mounts the association prefers.  Give the man a break.

The story from the Richmond Times Dispatch, written by Bill McKelway:

Col. Van T. Barfoot, a local Medal of Honor winner, is under the gun from his Henrico County community’s homeowner association.

— Bill McKelway
 

Click here to read the full article in the Richmond newspaper and to watch the video.