Decorated Vietnam Vet Arrested Guarding War Memorial and American Flag in San Diego

Newsgroups: alt.war.vietnam
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 8:04 PM
Subject: [the-longest-war] Decorated Vietnam Vet Arrested Guarding War Memorial and American Flag in San Diego

(EXCERPT) Arrested Vet's Dog, 'TJ' Taken Away and Placed in Pound On 'Death Row' While Attorneys Battle City to Free Both

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Jaffe & Co. Inc., Crisis Management:

Robert Thomas Northcut is a decorated Vietnam Veteran. In the years that have passed since he was blown up in a delta ambush he spent his time in and out of Veteran's hospitals.

Ten years ago he walked out of the VA hospital never to look back. He found his way to Solana Beach, California where he has lived outside, as a homeless man, never panhandling a dime.

Each day he walks the streets with his trusty German Shepherd, ``TJ,'' given to him by caring townfolks. He always stops to greet people and pat children on their heads as they pet his dog and look in wonderment at this shell of a man, forever wounded serving his country in the war in Vietnam. His Purple Heart went the way of all his belongings when he decided to stop living in a VA hospital and get out and enjoy the beauty of the California coastline with ``TJ.''

His long shaggy Australian bush coat and Crocodile Dundee hat distinguish him for the hero he is as he is seen searching in the morning shadows looking for food.

When he heard the tragedy of ``9/11'' on his little portable radio he was instantly moved to action. He now had a purpose, a mission, a reason to reestablish his identity. He went to the little traffic island of the City which houses the stone war memorial next to the large American flag pole. He took up residence next to the Memorial, resting his head each night on it to protect it from what he felt was a possible terrorist attack. Each night he lowered the flag and each day raised it to half mast.

Neighbors brought food for him and his dog and brought him newspapers to keep up to date.

It had all come back to him....a purpose, a vision, an identity. He was now back in the line of duty. Every small part helped. His was to raise the flag and to protect the Monument.

Early one morning after he raised the flag, the workmen arrived. As he saluted, they pounded into the ground the two foot square No Trespassing sign. Moments later they called the Sheriff's department and held Thomas there until they arrived.

The city code enforcer ordered a citation to be issued for Thomas Northcut for trespassing. Thomas crumpled it into his pocket and went back to his duties, guarding the monument.

The code enforcer patiently waited for the court appearance date to pass then asked that the arrest warrant be issued.

Thomas and his dog awoke to the angry sounds of deputies as they pulled him from the ground, his hat falling by the side of the Monument and dragged him away in one direction screaming for his dog as they dragged ``TJ'' away to an animal control truck.

Thomas was handcuffed and taken to jail to await arraignment. ``TJ'' was taken to the pound where if unclaimed, he will be put to death in a matter of weeks.

This story did not take place in 1975. It was Thursday, October 26, 2001. Thomas, unable to post the bond, waited in the lockup and had to be sedated because of panic attacks which resulted from his incarceration. Meanwhile, his dog, ``TJ'' has lost his appetite longing for his owner. And the flag just sits at half mast.

``How soon we forget,'' said Sam Georges, an attorney, U.S. Air Force veteran and friend of Northcut's who is trying to get people to help for the jailed vet get released and see that he's reunited with his dog, and in the process sensitize the city. Georges is also president of the internationally famous Anthony Robbins Companies.

``It's pretty obvious that a time like this, we need to show our respect to patriotic Americans to those who have fought to protect our freedoms. Especially those who have worn the uniform of our armed forces and sacrificed for our country,'' said Stephen Jaffe, president Jaffe & Company, a crisis management communications firm in based in Los Angeles.

This morning, Jennifer Lynch, Esq., an attorney living in Vista who heard about the Northcut case from friends, appeared, pro bono, on his behalf in Superior Court. She noted that Northcut has served several days in jail for essentially protecting a Monument to those who had died defending our country during a former war. Northcut remained silent but the Judge, a distinguished veteran himself, saw the sad irony of the case and dismissed it for ``time served.''

``Now there remains only one more injustice to be corrected,'' Lynch stated, ``and that's for Thomas to be reunited with his dog, 'TJ.''' Friends of Northcut have agreed to take him to the pound where ``TJ'' is being held tomorrow. ``If the city officials and the system doesn't get in the way, Thomas and 'TJ' will be together again, greeting the folks in Solana Beach and enjoying the freedom he gave so much of himself to protect,'' Lynch added.

For further information, please contact Jennifer Lynch, Esq., +1-760-643-4113; or Sam Georges, Esq., +1-619-417-1408; or Stephen Jaffe of Jaffe & Co., Inc., +1-310-275-7327.

This just sent to Mr.Murphy from Australia

Mr. Murphy.

I have recently heard about your Offices treatment of Mr.Robert Thomas Northcut and his dog TJ. Have you people lost your heart or have you become the sole discerners of what you consider right behaviour.

Mr Northcut was not impedeing anyone else's liberty nor was his animal.

Mr. Northcut has suffered enough at your offices hands. It is now time to do the decent thing and reunite him with his dog. Dogs do bark this does not make them potentially dangerous - It is the way they communicate.

Mel Russell

BTW I am writing this from Australia - Isn't it amasing how bad news travels so fast. If this is how your treat your heroes I don't think I want to visit your part of the world.

Just Freeped him from Australia.

Mr. Murphy. I have recently heard about your offices treatment of Mr.Robert Thomas Northcut and his dog TJ. Have you people lost your heart or have you become the sole discerners of what you consider right behaviour.

Mr Northcut was not impedeing anyone else's liberty nor was his animal.

Mel Russell

BTW I am writing this from Australia - Isn't it amasing how bad news travels so fast. If this is how your treat your heroes I don't think I want to visit your part of the world.

God Bless

Mel

Here is a copy of the e-mail I have written to the CinC Geo. W. Bush Jr.

President George.W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Vice Pres. Richard Cheney, Mrs. Cheney, Honorable Representative Richard Gibbons, Thomas M. Campbell

It has recently come to my attention that in the city of Solana Beach, California, a decorated Vietnam Veteran was treated in a most un-American manner. Robert Thomas Northcut is a decorated Vietnam Veteran. In the years that have passed since he was blown up in a delta ambush he spent his time in and out of Veteran's hospitals.

Ten years ago he walked out of the VA hospital never to look back. He found his way to Solana Beach, California where he has lived outside, as a homeless man, never panhandling a dime.

His long shaggy Australian bush coat and Crocodile Dundee hat distinguish him for the hero he is as he is seen searching in the morning shadows looking for food.

For ten years Thomas has been the street ambassador of Solana Beach.

Neighbors brought food for him and his dog and brought him newspapers to keep up to date.

It had all come back to him....a purpose, a vision, an identity. He was now back in the line of duty. Every small part helped. His was to raise the flag and to protect the Monument.

Then the City workers came out and posted the monument as 'No Trespassing. Thomas Northcut was arrested for being there and guarding the monument and our flag on the grounds of trespassing. His dog was taken to the city pound and locked up on their "death row" as a dangerous animal. Why? Because he barked at the workers.

Thomas Northcut is now free because veterans have taken up the call to defend one of our own. But his dog is still being held prisoner in the San Diego Animal Shelter awaiting execution. This is wrong!

I am writing to you on behalf of my brother Thomas Northcut and his dog! I am a Vietnam Era Veteran and still defending my country by serving on active duty. What came to my notice was how unfairly this brother of mine was treated for doing what he saw as his duty! Would it be that all Americans were so courageous and forthright we would not have these people in the streets making treasonous anti-war statements to a pandering press.

But one man, who still serves his beloved country in his own way, Mr. Thomas Northcut is pilloried and his dog put in peril for defending a War dead monument and our American flag. He, having already given parts of his body in battle for us, is now treated unjustly by us!

I am incensed that the City of San Diego will not return his dog to him. And I ask that pressure may be brought to bear that they will do so .... immediately! I ask nothing more than that this decorated combat veteran be given back his beloved friend "TJ", and that an official apology from the City of San Diego for the wrong that has been done to him.

In my opinion the man should be decorated for "stepping up to the plate", while others are shirking their duty and protesting the war effort!

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.