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
I just got off the phone with a woman who's name is Lucy, Phone - (858) 720-2400
She was cordial and "apprecitated the call", I asked her what was going on today with Mr. Northcut and TJ.
First she said that Mr. Northcut had been at the war memorial prior to Sept. 11 and that he "never" raised the flag, that the city workers did that every day, she told me that this press release from Jaffe and Co. was "inaccurate" and that the story is all wrong, the thing that most concerns them is with his dog TJ.
She stated that there has been numerous complaints made against Mr. Northcut and TJ. She also stated that the story about people going up and petting the dog was not true, she said that the dog was aggressive and would bark at people who go near it.
She stated that Mr. Northcut was living in a parkng lot near some, I think she said townhomes and that Mr. Northcut and TJ would leave feces and messes all over the place.
She said the most important thing about this is that they are mostly concerned about TJ and that they didn't want another mauling like what happened up in San Francisco.
She wasn't aware that Mr. Northcut was a Vietnam Vet before this press release and said that their community supports all vets and have outreach programs for vets, I think she named one and it was called "Ships for Vets" (not positive if that was what it was called, my phone was dying).
That pretty much sums up the call, I urged her and the whole city to do the right thing and that many, many people are following this closely! Lucy said that they were working hard on resolving this. My phone was dying so I couldn't talk any longer.
I am praying for Mr. Northcut and TJ and hope that things work out for them!
God Bless all our vets!
The man allegedy was protecting a flag on a traffic island. From what, pigeons? Imaginary demons? Certainly not from al Qu'eda. In order to be protecting something there must be a rational threat somewhere. If anyone wants to think that some people are merely victims of their circumstances and devoid of personal responsibility, and that acting irrationally and against one's own better interests is okay as long as one is a veteran then they'd love to live in tolerable and liberal San Francisco, where the streets are unnavigable from the smell of urine and animals are routinely used as shills to obtain more handouts. Liberals usually fall for sad doggie stories and colored press reports of innocent, simple, and happy-go-lucky but unfortunate hero harassed by pigs in park at time of war and surging patriotism. I just find it ludicrous that some otherwise rational FReepers are writing to President Bush because of an uncorroborated rumor about a local police issue, while ignoring the 6,000 homeless vets in San Fransisco who are daily oppressed by drug abuse, exposure to the elements, neglect, hunger, and untreated ill-health.
I would think that the veteran would have rather fought to preserve a good, caring nation rather than to construct a cold, cruel, impersonal, and humanist one which feigns honor by ignoring the honoree and his plight. Apparenty only veterans are to be allowed to point out the fact that people resent not so much being manipulated by media forces but resent most being told they are being so manipulated.
First she said that Mr. Northcut had been at the war memorial prior to Sept. 11 and that he "never" raised the flag, that the city workers did that every day, she told me that this press release from Jaffe and Co. was "inaccurate" and that the story is all wrong, the thing that most concerns them is with his dog TJ. She stated that there has been numerous complaints made against Mr. Northcut and TJ. She also stated that the story about people going up and petting the dog was not true, she said that the dog was aggressive and would bark at people who go near it.She stated that Mr. Northcut was living in a parkng lot near some, I think she said townhomes and that Mr. Northcut and TJ would leave feces and messes all over the place.
She said the most important thing about this is that they are mostly concerned about TJ and that they didn't want another mauling like what happened up in San Francisco. She wasn't aware that Mr. Northcut was a Vietnam Vet before this press release and said that their community supports all vets and have outreach programs for vets, I think she named one and it was called "Ships for Vets" (not positive if that was what it was called, my phone was dying).
That pretty much sums up the call, I urged her and the whole city to do the right thing and that many, many people are following this closely! Lucy said that they were working hard on resolving this. My phone was dying so I couldn't talk any longer.
Well, at least now we are getting another side of this story. If anyone is offended hearing how they may have been manipulated, then don't continue reading this ...
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...Ya'll wanted to fall for the sad doggy story of a press release from an obscure media outfit. So now President Bush is supposed to read all about your emailed outrage over what? A man who was a bum who defecated in public whose dog was aggressive to others and had to be dealt with because of citizen complaints? Will President Bush believe that FReepers strongly think people shouldn't complain about others misbehavior, or that local governments should obey the will of the mob? or that we FReepers are easily manipulated ... emotionally? Oh, well.
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
I left a message with Mayor Campbell and asked him to page me...we'll see.
FReegards...MUD
It is a terrible shame that you have so little compassion for a man who served his country during Vietnam. Suffered physical loss as well as loss of purpose of his life.
Then when our country is attacked. He took it upon himself with the love of his companion TJ (I suggest your city workers get with the program that dogs bark-one reason most of us get a dog is so they will bark a warning; even a greeting)to defend a memorial to war dead. He also so lovingly raised our great flag and lowered it with the respect due that flag.
Some thought so much of this man they gave him TJ as a companion. Some thought so much of this man they cared to listen.
Your city is so worried about political correctness you've forgotten about compassion and understanding. A human being isn't an eye sore. But the attitude of your city is...and I for one will encourage my family not to pursue our vacation in the San Diego area. Instead we'll travel where vets and their companions are treated with dignity and respect and not trumped up "new rules" developed to screw the ones who have served us best.
Shame on you.
People run and hide when it is their time to come to the aid of their country, but they sure know how to flap their lips when given the opportunity to criticize something they can not ever possibly understand. My dad is gone now too,BigBlueJon, but I remember all of his stories as well. :) I am a proud American but my pride comes from having known the heros of our time who gave and gave and gave.
Blabber mouth CJ needs to get a life.
Yeah, but I like to hear myself talk on the radio and neither Dornan's or Reagan's show is locally available LIVE!!
I'll keep workin' the Limbaugh angle...
FReegards...MUD
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