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
Click here to send a message to the City without messing with their stupid website
You'll be glad you did.
Mr Georges would like us to mail, email and call the mayor ASAP.
16 posted on 11/3/01 12:35 PM Pacific by Native American Female Vet
We all know who/whom the REAL danger is/are, don't we?
Patriotism bump!
NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL REORGINIZATION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Solana Beach was reorganized at a regular meeting of the City Council held on Tuesday, December 5, 2000, as follows:
THOMAS M. CAMPBELL - MAYOR
(term expires 11/2002)
MARCIA E. SMERICAN - DEPUTY MAYOR
(term expires 11/2002)
THOMAS S. GOLICH - COUNCILMEMBER
(term expires 11/2004)
JOE G. KELLEJIAN - COUNCILMEMBER
(term expires 11/2004)
DOUGLAS SHERES - COUNCILMEMBER
(term expires 11/2004)
Or his District Office:
613 West Valley Parkway
Suite # 320
Escondido, CA 92025
CALL: (760) 737-8438
FAX: (760) 737-9132
Thomas M. Campbell, Solana Beach Mayor
635 South Highway 101,
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Phone - (858) 720-2400
Fax - (858) 792-6513/755-1782
I am trying to dig out the military base commanders names , addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, etc for Coronado Island and Miramar Naval Air Station. So far I can't find them, can anyone help me ? Monday morning lets send polite emails to the Mayor with copies to President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and the base commanders.
FOLLOWED
by telephone calls to the Mayor, the base commanders. If any of you chat on Yahoo.com or any other websites lets get this turned into a major case that will castrate this Mayor and his city workers. For less than $10.00 a piece we can make this mans life a bleeding hemorrhoid. We are the people who fought in Nam, Robert Northcut is one of us, a representative of the people who fought in that theater, came home damaged and is being crapped on by the Mayor of San Diego , California.
Please bookmark this website to your screen and Monday morning check back for all the names, numbers, email addresses, etc. They will be here available for you.
President George W. Bush
E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov
First Lady Laura Bush
E-mail: first.lady@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Dick Cheney
E-mail: vice.president@whitehouse.gov
Mrs. Lynne Cheney
E-mail: mrs.cheney@whitehouse.gov
Do not forget your own Rep!
Rep James Gibbons
E-mail: mail.gibbons@mail.house.gov
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.