Decorated Soldier Reportedly Attacked At Concert

NBC ^ | 9/21/04 | Abu al Dimikrati

[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.

[dalight]

I think it says he almost lost his leg

[King Prout]

good advice.

[Kewlhand`tek]

i like toby keith, he came to camp too. so did cheryl wright on the 20th....too bad i work at night and never get to go to those events'

[rocksblues]

Comes from the old saying fool me once shame on you, shame me twice shame on me!

[68skylark]

I think the story said he "nearly" lost his leg. I'm not sure about the exact situation. Maybe he got a flesh wound in his leg that would have shattered the bone had it been a inch off -- something like that.

[erik22lax]

too bad somebody did not whip his attackers ass

[geedee]

We have several emails into the reporter of the story trying to find out more details and how we can help this soldier and his family.

Please let me know what you find out. I'm so f'ing mad . . . that's all I'd best say.

[YOUGOTIT]

And it is happening again just like during Vietnam. the left-wing fascist Nazi democrats are back in full swing. The are cowards, who sleep with their mothers and are the essence of evil. They are anti-American, anti-Christian, anti-Jewish and anti-Freedom. They are the brothers of the Islamic terrorist and should be put in jail with the other swine (for you democrats that is a PIG).

[crazyhorse691]

Just like old times my friends. JFK can proudly boast that his Anti-american hate has eclipsed decades and generations. I say NOT THIS TIME. JFK must be defeated or else it will be a repeat of 35 years ago.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

I just wrote Mayor Coleman, of Columbus Ohio an Email, asking him to insist that the Columbus Ohio Police Department find this goon and prosecute him.

The City of Columbus owes this Soldier at least that much, and the Mayor owes his community that action also. Communities MUST support our troops, we can NOT allow John Kerry to turn Iraq into another Vietnam.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

You're 100% correct and it is Vietnam redux because in Kerry's mind it is ALWAYS 1968.

Take any Kerry speech and for every mention of Iraq substitute Vietnam and it's like a love-in, groovy.

[gakrak]

I think that the only way they can strike is by the cheap shot. Just put them face up one on one and they cower. Just like Kerry shoot him in the back John way to go "Hero".

[Solamente]

If someone did that to a soldier in Brooklyn, that someone would be a bloody pulp.

[Johnny Crab]

AGREED! The perp needs exposure to lots.

My son(USMC) gets "Kerrytalk" from never-worked-a-day-in-their-life college brats in malls(he's their age). While they run their mouths, their girlfriends/wives stare in admiration and sometimes pretend to jeeralong.

Marines do learn patience.

[bn2sassy]

THIS JUST MADE ME SICK TO READ, THE SAME THING THAT WENT ON IN THE 1970'S IS STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN. THE PERSON SHOULD BE CAUGHT AND TAKEN TO IRAQ AND DROPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF BAGDAD WITHOUT A WEAPON AND LEFT TO DEFEND HIMSELF ALONE.

[TexasGreg]

I wonder who this attacker will be voting for ... hmmmm?

[jonrick46]

Am I going over the top to suggest that this is the type of fascism they would want our government to impose on the citizens of this country? Is there a hidden desire to have the liberty to beat up without warning anyone that does not fit in the mold? Would the next step be that anyone who resists, will be shot like a dog that tries to bite back?

My question is, why did not anyone step in to stop this incredibly barbarian act? Has the liberal culture softened their resolve to stand up to human injustice? Has this liberal culture caused them to be numb, dumb and insensitive to acts of atrocity? Will they stand silent when their fellow citizens are lined up before ditches without justice?

Will they stare blankly when some yahoo takes over an entire airplane with a stupid box knife.

[Budge]

Fine, upstanding democRATS socialists/communist paying 60's tribute to United States serviceMEN.

Thank you, John F'n Kerry!

[SAMWolf]

Kerry's legacy lives on. Put the attacker in a room with some of the soldier's squad members for about 10 minutes.

[Fiddlstix]

Kerry's legacy lives on. Put the attacker in a room with some of the soldier's squad members for about 10 minutes.

Works for me.