Posted on 09/21/2004 2:49:30 PM PDT by AdrianSpidle
Barton Cannot Return To Iraq Due To Injuries
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A local soldier back from the war in Iraq said he was beaten at an area concert because of what was printed on his T-shirt, NBC 4's Nancy Burton reported.
FeedRoom
Soldier Reportedly Attacked
Foster Barton, 19, of Grove City, received a Purple Heart for his military service in Iraq. He almost lost his leg last month after a Humvee he was riding in ran over a landmine.
Barton said he was injured again Friday night in a crowded parking lot as he was leaving the Toby Keith concert at Germain Amphitheatre. The solider was injured so badly that he can't go back to Iraq as scheduled.
"I don't remember getting hit at all, really," said Barton, a member of the 1st Calvary Division. "He hit me in the back of the head. I fell and hit the ground. I was knocked unconscious and he continued to punch and kick me on the ground."
Barton and his family said he was beat up because he was wearing an Iraqi freedom T-shirt.
"It's not our fault," Barton said. "I'm just doing a job."
According to a Columbus police report, six witnesses who didn't know Barton said the person who beat him up was screaming profanities and making crude remarks about U.S. soldiers, Burton reported.
One witness, a friend of the alleged attacker, said Barton hit first. Police said they do not think that witness is credible since the six other witnesses said Barton was hit from behind.
Barton's mother said she has a message for her son's alleged attacker, who police said ran into the crowd after the incident and was not arrested.
"He needs our prayers, just like the insurgents, because he's a coward," Cindy Barton said.
After a two-week leave, Barton was supposed to return to Iraq Tuesday. But his broken nose will delay his return.
Barton is waiting for doctors to tell him when he can return to active duty. He said wants to go back as soon as possible because his unit was just attacked. Eleven soldiers were wounded and two were killed, he said. Copyright 2004 by nbc4i.com.
Let's hope this is simply a booze affair.
Ping
This is what our soldiers have to come home to..again??
Thanks alot Mr. Kerry. I pray that clown NEVER becomes our president. I pray President Bush wins by a landslide.
Is this kids mom a FReeper?
This soldier's mother has it exactly right. The attacker is a COWARD!!! I ran into a few of those puppies 35 years ago. As hard as I try not too, I still despise every stinking last one of their ilk!!
As a Bucs fan, I will admit we all should have left after the first quarter, but darn it, that's not the point.
ahhhh! more moronic behavior from the tolerant left...
What does Toby have to say about this??
Did the guy happen to be old with a cane? Was he up there to use the fax machine? Did he answer to "Crazy Bill?"
Assbite is much too polite a term for the PETA crowd, but then (as I see on your profile page), you are a lady.
Thanks to you and your husband for your service from the USN retired folks.
If not - she needs an invitation to join us!
We know the name of the victim - Who's going to come up with the cowardly perps name?? He needs some quality exposure time!
"Abu al Dimikrati"?
izzis a joke?
Man, that sign makes my blood boil every time I see it!
I live in Columbus and just went to a concert at this venue several weeks ago.
I was in the beer line and noticed the guy in front of me show his Military ID to the women serving beer. Being a veteran myself I struck up a conversation with him. He had just returned from Iraq and had just gotten married. He said he would probably return to duty shortly.
Needless to say I bought him several beers and congratulated him on getting married and for being there to keep us free.
The point of this story is, if I would have seen anyone attacking someone in the military, especially one just returned from Iraq, I would still be in jail for beating the guy to within an inch of his life.
this story is confusing the heck out of me. HE LOST HIS LEG LAST MONTH AND HE WAS DUE TO GO BACK TO IRAQ IN TWO WEEKS. no f'n way. I would suspect it would take at LEAST a year get back on duty. Anyway I am here in Iraq with the 1st cav, maybe we can pay his attacker a visit :p I went on my 2 weeks leave an wore my "whose your baghdaddy " tshirt. I got lots of positive responses from it.
Once Toby gets wind of this I bet he reaches out to him.
Now it begins again! Kerry's flop to anti-war will bring out the Maniac/Leftists. If going out in Public with support for GWB bring 4 or 5 of your biggest friends and 2 or 3 with Video cams!
"ALMOST lost his leg" in a mine explosion, while he was in a vehicle.
"almost" to a reporter is a very flexible measure.
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