Stop in and find out new ways to help support our military!
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
Semper Fi (USMC 1989-1998)
I was Just following orders
Were have we heard that before ?
In my book all involved with this are scum. How can you put up No Trespassing signs up at a public Memorial ? Are they still there ? If not I think he has a fed. law suit not only against the city but also the individuals who did this.
Comment # Removed by Moderator
What would be at this reply # if I put down what I think needs to be done to these people.
You'll love this site!
We're crawling with Gyrenes - even got a lot of good Swabbies to keep us company!
Secondly, let me tell you something about his options because it is obvious you don't have any idea what they are. I, on the other hand know them well. My brother is a disabled Vietnam Vet. My brother was lucky because he was able to have a career after Vietnam in spite of his illnesses. His heart was damaged in Vietnam and he has spent months at a time in and out of the Veterans hospital in Los Angeles. He has also spent time in the hell-hole hospital in Long Beach. Let me tell you those facilities are dark, dreary and depressing. There is nothing nice about them. And there is nothing nice about being put in the hospital and then having your paperwork lost and have to be put on hold for weeks until things are straightened out again.
I think that our military veterans, especially those who were injured in the defense of this country, deserve to have the absolute best care that is available. They should have the best facilities, but too often the facilities are like the worst public welfare clinic you can imagine. As I said, my brother was lucky because he was able to earn an income in between his many operations and critical emergencies. He had a home to go to when he left the hospital. But what about the guys like the homeless man of the story that have no place to go? What about the guy who would like to be productive in society but can't? Where do they go? Years ago we use to have veteran's homes, and maybe there are some someplace, but it is near impossible to find one in California.
Sir, I might be insensitive and ignorant about the situation if I did not have my brother's situation to learn by, so I will give you the benefit of some doubt and assume that you are coming from a place of ignorance. I agree with you about borderline mentally ill or full blown mental cases being on the streets. I agree with you that many times the reason they are there is because they have made some poor choices in life. However, we are a wealthy country in the scheme of things and it is up to you and me and every other able bodied person to see to it that our mentally ill and our veterans can live a life that is decent. If that poor fellow chose to leave the hospital and live on the streets you need to ask yourself why? Maybe he did take a bullet to the head and has some sort of brain injury. You and I and every other person in this country needs to realize that it is by the goodness of God that it wasn't one of us standing in his shoes. It is time we get our priorities in order and put our vets at the front of the list. Instead we give money to other countries and give welfare benefits to people who refuse to play be the rules in life.
I urge everyone to visit a VA hospital this Veteran's Day !!
A lot of these guys don't have any one in the world who cares if they live or die.
Sit on the beds and TOUCH them!
It will brighten their lives, and I guarantee you'll get a lot more from it than they will.
redrock
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