Posted on 11/03/2001 10:31:40 AM PST by B4Ranch
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
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.
For ten years Thomas has been the street ambassador of Solana Beach.
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.
SOURCE: Jaffe & Co., Inc., Strategic Media and Crisis Management
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011030/latu141_1.html
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BTW...for others thinking about calling, please be polite...the folks answering the phones seem to be nice folks and this may be one issue where we get more flies with sugar than with vinegar!!
FReegards...MUD
Jennifer L. Lynch Attorney at Law 380 South Melrose Dr. Suite 208 Vista, California 92083 Voice: 760.643.4113 Fax: 760.643.4112 jll@jllynch.com
Jennifer Lynch and some of the vet's friends are working on setting up a fund for contributions. She is a lawyer, but not a public defender, and is doing this for nothing, at least so far.
Please call the mayor of the City of Solana Beach at (858) 720-2400 and tell him to let the dog go with his master.
Carolyn
Leslie LaBonte wrote: We appreciate hearing from you regarding your concerns over Robert Northcut and his dog T.J. Please know this did NOT happen in the City of San Diego and the City of San Diego has no jurisdiction over the matter.
We checked into details of the incident and the City of Solana Beach, which is north of San Diego, is the appropriate government agency to contact. I forwarded your e-mail to their office and for future reference their e-mail address is: mescobedo@co.sb.org. The Mayor is Thomas Campbell. Thank you again for your interest.
Leslie LaBonte
Assistant to the Mayor
It's Salano Beach City Mayor, Not San DiegoMr Georges would like us to mail, email and call the mayor ASAP
Thomas M. Campbell, Solana Beach Mayor
635 South Highway 101,
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Phone - (858) 720-2400
Fax - (858) 792-6513/755-1782
Thanks for the updated information, but I had already put my "Misguided" E-Mail into the 'Net, before I read your corrected contact information....
Here is what I received....
================================================
from: llabonte@SanDiego.Gov
We appreciate hearing from you regarding your concerns over Robert Northcut and his dog T.J. Please know this did NOT happen in the City of San Diego and the City of San Diego has no jurisdiction over the matter.
We checked into details of the incident and the City of Solana Beach, which is north of San Diego, is the appropriate government agency to contact. I forwarded your e-mail to their office and for future reference their e-mail address is: mescobedo@cosb.org. The Mayor is Thomas Campbell. Thank you again for your interest.
Leslie LaBonte
Assistant to the Mayor
FReegards...MUD
To: Maria Escobedo
Subject: Response to Inquiry Regarding Mr. Northcutt
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 17:31:31
TO: INTERESTED PERSONS
FROM: CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 2001
RE: ROBERT THOMAS NORTHCUTT
The recent press release entitled "Decorated Vietnam Vet Arrested Guarding War Memorial and American Flag in San Diego" contains several inaccuracies.
The following information addresses some of the inaccuracies:
* The dog's aggressive manner prevents anyone, particularly children from approaching it. The City has received numerous complaints regarding the dog's aggressive behavior and has forwarded those complaints to San Diego County Animal Control.
* In May 2001, the dog bit someone who was walking along the public sidewalk.
* The dog is being held by San Diego County Animal Control. They will decide whether the dog can be returned to Mr. Northcutt.
* Mr. Northcutt frequented the memorial prior to the 9-11 terrorist attacks. There was no observable change in Mr. Northcutt's patterns after September 11.
* Mr. Northcutt was not responsible for raising and lowering the flag at the memorial. City personnel are responsible for the flag.
* Damage has occurred to public property as a result of Mr. Northcutt residing at various locations in the City.
* City Code Enforcement personnel were not present nor did they order that Mr. Northcutt be issued a citation.
* Mr. Northcutt was asked to leave the memorial site by Sheriff's deputies. Mr. Northcutt refused to leave and insisted on being issued a citation. Sheriff's deputies attempted to persuade Mr. Northcutt to leave the site, however, he continued to insist on receiving a citation.
* Mr. Northcutt was NOT arrested for trespassing on City property. In the process of issuing a citation Sheriff's deputies discovered that there were outstanding warrants on Mr. Northcutt. Mr. Northcutt was arrested based on the outstanding warrants.
* The City is primarily interested in ensuring that the dog does not harm anyone and that public property is not destroyed.
* The City is respectful of all citizens and has made special recognition of Veterans and active military personnel, including its participation in an "Adopt a Ship" program with the USS Fitzgerald DDG-62 and annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day services hosted jointly by the City and its local VFW post. Following the 9-11 attacks, Solana Beach was also one of the first cities in San Diego County to install patriotic banners along a major highway through the City.
===================================================
I don't write 'em....I just pass 'em along.....
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Solana Beach was reorganized at a regular meeting of the City Council held on Tuesday, December 5, 2000, as follows: THOMAS M. CAMPBELL - MAYOR
(term expires 11/2002)
MARCIA E. SMERICAN - DEPUTY MAYOR
(term expires 11/2002)
THOMAS S. GOLICH - COUNCILMEMBER
(term expires 11/2004)
JOE G. KELLEJIAN - COUNCILMEMBER
(term expires 11/2004)
DOUGLAS SHERES - COUNCILMEMBER
(term expires 11/2004)
In addition, here is the URL: http://www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us/cityadmin.cfm
The good news is that TJ was released to Mr. Northcut today! Yippee!
#35
Here’s one thread. There was many more.
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