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
Thanks. We got the Mayor's office in San Diego to help as they can since it is really Salano Beach not San Diego which was the culprit. They said the will refer calls to that Mayor and she said she would help by "quiet inquiry" in getting TJ out. I'm still awaiting to hear whether the pound, 'dangerous dog task force" will find TJ a "public nuisance." If they do I, will request hearing and appear on TJ's behalf to see how we can deal with that. Sam is also looking into getting a volunteer trainer for the dog. We'll do what we can. In the interim, we will try to get a fund set up for him. Please let people know they have helped a great deal in responding. Thanks.
My email to her;
Subject: Robert Northcutt
Sam & Jennifer,
Click on these websites and you'll see what we've got going so far. Monday morning is when the overflowing outhouse is going to be set on fire in the Mayors office.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/563084/posts
Decorated Vietnam Vet Arrested Guarding War Memorial and American Flag in San Diego
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/562929/posts
USO Canteen 11-3,4-01 Weekend Edition
SIGNED:B4Ranch
Yeah, where was that reference to the gift of the mobile home which Mr. Northcut had turned down because he wanted to sleep outdoors instead?
Lots to tell. I have been busy today
OK 1st he is a Vet from 1972. He has said he wanted to be a seal but rang the bell and then went into electronics but he didnt know they had river boats in Cambodia. He and 13 guys where on a boat and there was an explosion and he woke up in Austrailia. He gets benifits but has always had them sent to his son who is now in jail. People have offered him a mobile home to live in but he says he cant live indoors.
There is no law that says you cannot sleep on your porch or keep your door open that I know of.
I do feel however that everything is going to work out just fine for Mr. Northcut and TJ :)
My step dad was a Vietnam Vet, I was just a peace time vet but the stories he would tell were just terrifying he had lots of problems and I had the upmost respect for him (and all Vets) and it was out of love from all of us that he was able to overcome lots of horrible things almost daily, until he succumbed to Leukemia a few years ago---with love all things are possible and seeing what we are accomplishing here at FR for Mr. Northcut is very touching.
Now...We know what Sam, and the Mayor of San Diego have done and what they're going to do.
My question is: What is Northcutt now going to do?
Yair.
How about the border patrol?
Last time I was out counting criminal aliens it was plain to see those jerkoffs could do with some good keen help!
"Also... The dog TJ, is the replacement for his dog that died last year and that one is buried at the memorial. Jennifer Lynch got 100 emails and 60 phones today....Those are the ones to say thank you imagine what the City got."
How many reasons does this man need for people to understand why that memorial is important to him?? Someone said on an earlier post that "Lucy" thought the attention would die down in a few days. Let's not let that happen.
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