[Mrs. Frogjerk]

This is absolutely disgusting.

The homeowners Association acn stick it as far as I am concerned.

Way to thank a veteran for their service!

[Freddd]

Another post had contact info. I called and told them this veteran fought for the right to fly that flag, and have a flagpole to do it, and to leave him alone!

[GraceG]

Many HOAs are breeding grounds for Control Freak Liberal Elite types, beware the nosy neighbor.

[AuntB]

BTT!

[Fenhalls555]

Colonel Van T. Barfoot has been featured on Free Republic at least once before:

Freeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Van Thomas Barfoot ~ 10 August 09

http://tinyurl.com/yjaazek

[edcoil]

He moved into the Association knowing the rules and is forcing the issue - I am sure a flag on his townhome would have been fine but he installed a freestanding 21 foot pole on someone else’s (community) property.

He has to take some of the blame here.

[DallasSun]

My husband and I live in a community with a homeowner’s association. I am praying this veteran prevails. Good luck to him.

[FiddlePig]

Until the Obama administration... homeowners associations were the only true fascists organizations in the U.S.A. Now Mr. Barfoot, MOH recipient and true American hero once again must do battle with fascists! And as before, I suspect he will prevail! God bless him!!!

[Crawdad]

Grow up people. Some very patriotic war heroes are pricks.

[SECURE AMERICA]

homeonwer associations are little more hten small communist government at street level.

[xcamel]

more:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398884/posts

[smokingfrog]

A Richmond law firm, Marchant, Honey & Baldwin, offered yesterday to represent Barfoot at no cost, partner John Honey said.

In a statement released last night, the association said Barfoot is in direct violation of its board’s July decision to deny his request to erect a flagpole.

“This is not about the American flag. This is about a flagpole,” the statement reads, noting that many homes in the neighborhood display the American flag.

Margaret Nicholls, Barfoot’s daughter, said last night that the statement is using semantics to back up a board decision about the pole that was made on aesthetic, not regulatory grounds. There is no covenant that expressly forbids flag poles, she said.

Warner has known Barfoot for years and has a high regard for him, Warner spokesman Kevin Hall said. “The senator definitely wants to step in to get something resolved.”

Nicholls said her father’s phone “is ringing off the hook.” Members of the 157th Infantry Unit, with which he served, have called along with scores of people concerned about Barfoot’s welfare, she said.

[Azzurri]

I hate zero tolerance. The man is 90 years old, fought his whole life for his country, and was graced with a distinguished Medal of Honor. So, technically, maybe he shouldn’t have put up a flag pole on community property...but, so what, let the guy go...I think he’s earned the right to be left alone...at 90, it’s not like he’s going to have this flag flying for decades. If I was a resident of the community I would tell any objectors to get a life and not everything needs be enforced in their petty rules.

[FrankR]

Homeowner Associations are nothing but little busybody, socialist communes; every time I have looked around to buy a house I tell the real estate person, "No houses governed by an association, or otherwise."

I pay the mortgage, not them, and what happens on my property is my business, so long as it's legal within the law..."Homeowner Associations" are NOT the law.

I thought contracts were two-way documents, what does the organization provide in exchange for having censorship powers over the OWNERS?

This is "community organizing" gone amuck.

[Crawdad]

He went to war to defend a nation of laws. Now he wants to break the law. That doesn’t square-up.

[bushpilot1]

Second Lieutenant Barfoot’s official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech. Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans.

He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers.

Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17.

Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions.

Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks.

From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun.

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 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of 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.

[Atlas Sneezed]

“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.

[afraidfortherepublic]

FTA:

"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."

AP Photo/Richmond Times-Dispatch, Eva Russo Nov. 2: Col. Van T. Barfoot, 90, and his daughter Margaret Nicholls lower the flag outside Barfoot's home in Henrico County, Va. Nov. 2: Col. Van T. Barfoot, 90, and his daughter Margaret Nicholls lower the flag outside Barfoot's home in Henrico County, Va.

[kinsman redeemer]

Oh, By the way, Coates & Davenport, P.C. (800) 450-8311 (I suggest calling!) says,

Statement from the Sussex Square Homeowners Association Dec. 3, 2009

The Sussex Square Homeowners Association never intended its request that Col. Barfoot remove his flag pole as an affront to his patriotism.

This is not about the American flag. This is about a flag pole. And Col. Barfoot is not being forbidden from displaying an American flag.

With its request that he remove the flag pole, the association was discharging its duty to all the owners in the neighborhood. The association's position has merit and is supported by its Bylaws, Rules and Declaration of Restrictions and Covenants.

The association is optimistic that this matter can be resolved in a way that is mutually satisfactory to all parties and looks forward to Senator Mark Warner's involvement toward that end.

Anyone who wishes to offer comments may do so at colbarfootsflagpole@gmail.com

Thank you,

Coates & Davenport

Richmond, Virginia

The phoney email address at the end could have been "round_file@gmail.com" - So I suggest calling:
(800) 450-8311
Also the "Contact Us" link takes you to a form that works. That's a good alternative. The domain of the email address field must be legitimate - but that's all.