[SES1066]

One of my father's very good friends in the 45th, a fixture at every reunion until his passing in 2012. I sat with him and my dad, Ed, 2007 at the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel for the Memorial Service of the 157th Infantry Regiment. It was the year that General Felix Sparks, a one time commander of many of them had died and both were speaking at the service.

What made me furious was that he was wearing the neck ribbon & MoH medal but with civilian clothes. While I am certain that he asked the USAFA Administration for no honors, as he was a modest man, multiple cadets, unassociated and just transiting the area, failed to take notice. In the time since then I have come to a more charitable conclusion, that ALL cadets were informed at morning assembly that day and told not to 'see' it.

There is another story of more recent vintage about Col Barfoot that involved his desire to fly an American Flag at his home in Virginia. In 2009, at age 89, his family moved him into a small, new residence for easy maintenance but also independence. His single request (demand) was a flagpole in his yard to do daily duty as had been his retired life habit. Well that request became a 21 ft flagpole and (you guessed it) the Homeowners Association (HOA) demanded its removal as it 'detracted' from the the curb appeal of the neighborhood.

There was a legal battle going on but the Colonel had good reinforcement to help him. His comrades from the 157th, the 45th Infantry Division Association and news media and, eventually, Virginia US Senator Mark Warner. When the dust settled, Col Barfoot kept his tradition, the HOA got a lesson and there was even a change in Virginia State Law with better protection for US Flag Display!

Thank you Kathy for this Canteen Post and my trip down memory lane. I imagine that almost all of my Dad's WW2 comrades and most of the Korean War ones are gone and serving above. Anyone who dug-in at Anzio can echo to St Pete, that ditty about having already served their time in Hades!

For those whose interest I may have aroused, Alex Kershaw wrote an excellent book on General Felix Sparks, "The Liberator" and there is an excellent book on the 45th Infantry Division by Flint Whitcock, "The Rock of Anzio".

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, SES1066, for sharing this story.

What made me furious was that he was wearing the neck ribbon & MoH medal but with civilian clothes. While I am certain that he asked the USAFA Administration for no honors, as he was a modest man, multiple cadets, unassociated and just transiting the area, failed to take notice. In the time since then I have come to a more charitable conclusion, that ALL cadets were informed at morning assembly that day and told not to 'see' it.

That is strange, and upsetting that they may have been told not to "see" it.