A flag waving in the breeze is rarely noticed in my country.
Though many fly freely from porches and the corners of houses, they are largely ignored. They rarely elicit even tacit acknowledgement by a common passerby, they remain just a part of the scenery. It's not that way across the world. There are many countries where to see a national flag flapping in the wind is a rare sight.
Ironic that the overtness of its use in American has led to its lack of recognition.
There are some however who regularly go out of their way to honor the United States flag, one such man is Van T. Barfoot. While Van's name conjures up little in the imagination aside from an old brown Winnebago, he is one of those rare individuals who regularly lifts an American flag outside his house every morning, and dutifully takes it down each night.
Well, he had been at least.
That was until the law firm of his housing authority sent him a letter requiring him to take down his flag (the flag of our country mind you), or face legal action.
The homeowners association told Barfoot that his flagpole was violating his neighborhood's aesthetic guidelines (aka, that Old Red White and Blue was an eye sore).
Barfoot responded to the letter with this quote, "There's never been a day in my life or a place I've lived in my life that you couldn't fly the American flag,"
See, there's one thing the homeowners association amazingly, failed to take into account when they decided to pick a fight with Van Thurman Barfoot. He doesn't give up easily, or actually ever for that matter. Not only is Barfoot almost 92 years old, he has flown a United States flag outside of his home EVERY SINGLE DAY since he retired from the Unites States Army after having served in World War II, Korea, AND Vietnam.
O yea, and Van Thurman Barfoot has also been awarded three purple hearts, a bronze star, a silver star, and the Congressional Medal of Honor for being one of the best soldiers America has ever had.
The following is the citation for Barfoot's Medal of Honor:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech. Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers.
This Independence day I thank you Van T. Barfoot, and all the other servicemen past and present, who have sacrificed for the freedom that I enjoy. I am able to live in physical peace because of what others have given up, and I am grateful. So for that reason when I see an American flag this weekend I will say a prayer of thanks to those serving, and also a prayer of thanks to God for his blessing.
I will also tip my hat this weekend to Van T. Barfoot. Thank you for what you've done, and thank you for taking it to the Sussex Square Homeowners Association.
Who consequently, are officially a bunch of idiots.
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