Posted on 11/05/2001 6:36:52 PM 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
I had an uncle break a 2x4 over a mule's head one time. My grandfather walked up just in time to see the mule knocked to his knees. Granddad said to my uncle, "God son, what are you doing?" My uncle replied, "I'm going to kill this mule if it doesn't work right." The mule was soon a model worker, set the standard for mules in the area. It's a lesson which should be learned by lesser forms of life, like mindless bureaucrats. But unfortunately, such actions are now considered impolite. So, I guess we'll just e-mail them and send lawyers. Life just ain't much fun anymore.
VFW Post 5431
Arthur Rodrigues, LL.B., J.D. is the Department of California Outreach Service Officer. What is great for us is that he lives right here is San Diego County. Arthur is a member of VFW Post 5431 in Solana Beach. He can assist you with free representation for Veterans, their Dependents and Survivors to obtain VA Entitlements and Benefits. These include:
Service Connected Disability
Appeal Claims to the VA
Claims Pension Benefits
VA Home Loans
Medical Treatment
Nursing Home Care
Employment
Educational Benefits
Social Security Counseling
Burial Benefits
Readjustment Counseling
Non-Service Connected Treatment
As you can see, Arthur can assist you with a wide variety of issues. Contact him at VFW Post 5431, 411 N. Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075-1131. The telephone number is 858.350.1422 or 858.259.7348. He has office hours of 9:30 am to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
SOLANA BEACH ---- In a ceremony that began with the presentation of colors by a local Boy Scouts troop and ended with the release of doves symbolizing peace, about 130 people gathered Saturday in La Colonia Park to honor U.S. veterans.
Hosted by the city and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5431, the event was one of many Veterans Day services throughout the country to acknowledge men and women, past and present, who have served the nation's military forces. Veterans representing all branches of the military attended the service, set around the Solana Beach Veterans Memorial.
The National Anthem and a medley of military music was performed by the Santa Fe Christian School band, and speakers included U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian and VFW Post Commander Randy Treadway.
"Today we honor and salute all American veterans who have put their lives on the line for our freedom," said Treadway. "American veterans represent all races and ethnic groups. They are men and women ... some are famous, but most are just ordinary citizens who answered the call to duty when it came and left the comfort of their homes and families to fight for our country. ... We appreciate your sacrifices."
A former Navy fighter pilot and "Top Gun" instructor, Cunningham received numerous decorations during his 20-year military career. Re-elected Tuesday to the 51st Congressional District, Cunningham said he would continue his fight in Washington to strengthen eroding health care benefits for disabled veterans and their families.
"We're going to change that in a bipartisan way to make sure they are restored," he said. "Whether it's Al Gore or Governor Bush (as the next president), I hope you can get the same benefits that members of Congress do."
Cunningham motioned to a youth soccer game in the field behind him. "The kids' noise doesn't bother me," he said. "That's why we fought."
But he said that Veterans Day has been downplayed in recent years.
"It's sad today that it's mostly vets who show up. ... We need to let our children know about the sacrifices made and what they mean," he said.
"I am very disturbed about the apathy today toward American patriotism," said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Charles Moss, who was shot down over Germany during World War II and spent 13 months as a prisoner of war. "When Pearl Harbor started on Sunday, I went to flight school on Monday. But it's disturbing now to see the lack of interest in the future of America."
The North Country Times is the local fishwrap for Solana Beach. Send email to the editor at: editor@nctimes.com
And I would issue a repremand against the little pencil pusher that caused this situation.
You are too kind! lol
LMAO....I get the biggest darn kick out of you guys!
My experience with the homeless "Vietnam vets" is that they almost always can't remember which unit they were in or where it was stationed (or they were in some "top secret special forces" unit that never appears in any Order of Battle document), who their commanding officer was, claim to have been awarded very senior medals (I've bumped into one Medal of Honor and maybe five Navy Crosses--the documentation never supports their claim), they can't remember WHERE they went to boot camp, who their Drill Instructors were, what Platoon/Series/Company/Battalion they were in, what day they arrived in Viet Nam and when they left...in short, none of the details that would be seared into the brain of a real veteran.
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