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Decorated Vietnam Vet Arrested Guarding War Memorial and American Flag in San Diego(#2)
Newsgroups: alt.war.vietnam ^ | 01/10/30 | SOURCE: Jaffe & Co., Inc., Strategic Media and Crisis Management

Posted on 11/04/2001 5:54:46 AM PST by B4Ranch

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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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To: Snow Bunny
Thank God for the Vietnam Veteran!!!!

Amen.

61 posted on 11/04/2001 8:42:34 PM PST by lowbridge
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To: Cultural Jihad; Snow Bunny
"except those who would claim he has a right to live on the sidewalk somewhere."

He can live where ever he wants!
He earned that right and he choose to guard our flag!
NOW ANSWER THE QUESTION:
How have you served our country?
62 posted on 11/04/2001 8:43:42 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
He can live where ever he wants! He earned that right and he choose to guard our flag!

I admit it's a nice sentiment, but with our national bird, whichever tree it lands on becomes its property for the next three years; the law doesn't work that way with our human national treasures, even those who are not able to make informed decisions in their own best self-interest any more.

63 posted on 11/04/2001 8:55:53 PM PST by Cultural Jihad
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To: glock rocks
Thank you!
64 posted on 11/04/2001 8:56:49 PM PST by lonevoice
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To: Cultural Jihad
NOW ANSWER THE QUESTION:
How have you served our country?

65 posted on 11/04/2001 8:59:09 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
BUMP
66 posted on 11/04/2001 9:09:33 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
NOW ANSWER THE QUESTION: How have you served our country?

Your question has no bearing on the issue of a local township being allowed to regulate who can sleep and defecate in a public park and be denied the medical treatment he needs, and who cannot.

67 posted on 11/04/2001 9:09:54 PM PST by Cultural Jihad
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To: Cultural Jihad; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Scuttlebutt; Snow Bunny
"Indeed, no one is dishonoring Vietnam veterans except those who would claim he has a right to live on the sidewalk somewhere."

CJ, I don't understand where you're coming from, but I damn sure don't like it!
This man can live anywhere he damn well pleases, and his dog can crap on your lawn !
HE EARNED THE RIGHT !!

The biggest mistake you made was to make Snow Bunny mad!


68 posted on 11/04/2001 9:10:15 PM PST by COB1
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To: Snow Bunny
Snow Bunny that was awesome. This generation can only hope that we don't make the same mistakes as the previous one, in dishonoring those who made sacrifices. Thank you for such a clear picture of why we must Support our troops on the homefront.
69 posted on 11/04/2001 9:11:03 PM PST by swheats
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To: Cultural Jihad
He has the right .
70 posted on 11/04/2001 9:11:07 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
Just had to let Attila the Bun loose to rant there a bit.
71 posted on 11/04/2001 9:12:25 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: krunkygirl
BUMP BUMP BUMP
72 posted on 11/04/2001 9:16:46 PM PST by pattycake
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To: Cultural Jihad; COB1; Snow Bunny
"Your question has no bearing on the issue"

You are the one who knows so much about veterans and what should or shouldn't be done with them.
Now answer the question:
How have you served our country?

73 posted on 11/04/2001 9:16:53 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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To: Cultural Jihad
Seemingly...in your world....Government has the Right to decide everything.

Sad........

redrock

p.s....The man was protecting something VERY PRECIOUS to him.

And I will HONOUR him for doing so.

74 posted on 11/04/2001 9:17:38 PM PST by redrock
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To: Snow Bunny
"Just had to let Attila the Bun loose to rant there a bit."

That's the first meat eating rabbit I've ever seen!
You need to let her out more.

75 posted on 11/04/2001 9:18:34 PM PST by COB1
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To: COB1
BUMP.....Thats me. thank you.
76 posted on 11/04/2001 9:22:19 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: swheats
BUMP to you dear swheats and your very special posts.
77 posted on 11/04/2001 9:23:38 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: Cultural Jihad; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Scuttlebutt; Snow Bunny; celtic gal; LadyX; Invictus...
CJ, I've got another question for you:
Have you ever been in a VA hospital?
You seem to think those places are the panacea for all the things that are wrong with vets from loose bowels to starvation.
I suggest that this Veteran's Day you visit your local VA hospital and get an education.
I've personally spent many hours visiting in VA hospitals, and I can assure you it's not Disneyland.
78 posted on 11/04/2001 9:26:39 PM PST by COB1
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To: COB1
.."That's the first meat eating rabbit I've ever seen! You need to let her out more"....

LOL so funny...meat eating rabbit. I love it.

79 posted on 11/04/2001 9:27:21 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: redrock
Thank you redrock for your post.
80 posted on 11/04/2001 9:30:21 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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