Sussex Square in Henrico orders Medal Of Honor winner to remove flagpole
Col. Van T. Barfoot, one of the country’s last-surviving Medal of Honor winners, is under the gun from his Henrico County community’s homeowner association.
In a five-paragraph letter to Barfoot that he received yesterday, Barfoot is being ordered to remove a flagpole from his yard.
Read full story via Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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on Dec 2 2009. Filed under Richmond News.
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Disgusting, but what the hell has Obama got to do with this?
I see where the Sussex Square HOA Gestapo has a law firm working for them now. I believe the whole bunch of both the HOA and the a Coates & Davenport law firm should be put in a Nazi concentration camp so they can see what they are trying to start.
Lonnie Jones S/Sgt USMC
If the Sussex Square Homeowners’ Association Board of Directors thinks a simple flagpole violates their elitist sense of aesthetics, then we should all thank God that none of the members were vested with the responsibility of guiding a rifle platoon through the mud, blood, guts and gore of the Italian Campaign. Not to worry, though… Col. Barfoot faced down elements of the Waffen SS crack “Hermann Goering” Division single-handed, and kicked Kraut a** big time — I don’t think a bunch of wussie bureaucrats are gonna buffalo this old soldier. Hoo-hah!!
The HOA number has been disconnected. Does anyone have the new number or perhaps the names and phone numbers of the HOA Board so that we may all CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY? The law firm is simply doing what lawyers do, taking money. It would be nice to know if within the bylaws there must be a vote by the HOA if monies are to be spent that exceed a certain amount as I am sure the legal eagles are not cheap.
Keep flying your flag Col.VanBarfoot there are many Americans who like you are proud to be AMERICAN and not afraid to show it.
Can anyone come up with a working phone number for any of the people(?) who are on the board of Sussex Square HOA? These sorry BAS—– had the phone number for the assoc. disconnected.
Last time I checked the money grabbing lawyers still had their numbers working. Maybe we can put enough e-mails to their website to overload it. The web site is http://www.coateslaw.com. from there they have a “contact us”. Everybody contact them. They claim that Major Hoffsteader isn’t there.
Lonnie Jones S/Sgt USMC
It sounds to me like all of those HOA residents were all draft
dodgers in the past and have no respect for our honorable Veterans. They should remember that it is the men like Col. Van T. Barfoot who have preserved all of the freedoms that they now have and are able to enjoy. If these HOA residents are successful in having Col. Barfoot remove his flagpole, it is just another step in the direction of our current so-called leaders in Washington who are taking away our rights one after another. Col. Barfoot, I hope you beat them and they all have to install a flagpole in their yards as a penalty for trying to force tou to take yours down. Go after them!!
It sounds to me like all of those HOA residents were all draft
dodgers in the past and have no respect for our honorable Veterans. They should remember that it is the men like Col. Van T. Barfoot who have preserved all of the freedoms that they now have and are able to enjoy. If these HOA residents are successful in having Col. Barfoot remove his flagpole, it is just another step in the direction of our current so-called leaders in Washington who are taking away our rights one after another. Col. Barfoot, I hope you beat them and they all have to install a flagpole in their yards as a penalty for trying to force you to take yours down. Go after them!!
Hail the Col. I once lived under the scrutiny of a commie HOA. I swore I would never buy another home where an HOA could exercise their “big fish in small pond” petty BS. This is a good example of whats wrong with America. Fly that flag sir!!!
These roaches at the law firm deserve to hear your input. What kind of no class scum would take such an action against a national hero.
You can tell them here:
http://www.coateslaw.com/CM/Custom/Contact.asp
Fill their in basket with the fruits of their idiotic action!
These are the scumbags that are representing the Home Owners Association Let them know what you think of their taking the HOA’s case.
Coates & Davenport
5206 Markel Road, Suite 200
Richmond VA 23230
Toll Free: (800) 450-8311
Local Phone: (804) 285-7000
General Fax: (804) 285-2849
Real Estate Fax: (804) 285-3426
You can also visit their site and send them a message: http://www.coateslaw.com/CM/Custom/Contact.asp
If you want to send a message of support to the Colonel
send it here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=190716948379
I realize that emotions are running wild. The colonel moved into a community and agreed when he moved into it to give up some of his rights once it came to the exterior appearances of his home. The laws here in Virginia require that potential owners are provided with all the documentation regarding the governing documents of the association prior to closing on their home. The perspective purchasers have the right to read them and then if they are uncomfortable with any of them – including provisions regarding the display of flags – they may cancel their contract without penalty.
Even God can’t make people read the documentation – but the opportunity is there – it is disclosed.
The Colonel could from my understanding proudly display his flag – as others in the community do – on a flag pole mounted to his home and the Association probably couldn’t do a damn thing. And wouldn’t want to because their documents allow it.
So let’s leave the flag out of this. The colonel wants to install a 20 foot tall totem pole in his yard painted pink and green. The documents say that you can have a yard ornament in the rear yard. He doesn’t feel that the rear yard is acceptable so he chooses the front yard. he asks permission because he has made yard ornaments for people all over the world and they love them.
Not too many years ago there was a similar case in the Richmond area, and based on the laws of the state, the flag flyer lost in court and paid $200,000 + in legal fees. Under the laws, and the documents where the colonel chose to live, the courts should rule against him. Public outcry or not, I hope that he can afford his battle because if the Association has experienced counsel, this is not going to bode well for him.
The wisest thing for him to do is to compromise and choose to fly the flag he loves on an angled flagpole versus a vertical flagpole and save himself anguish and money. People can chain themselves to the front of trucks in protest of logging, but they run the risk of getting run over.
Check this out, it’s awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfzXnM-aYnQ
First off, the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR is not WON, it is EARNED!
Secondly, the SUSSEX SQUARE SERVICES or one of their whiny azz members who has nothing better to do, should hang their collective fat heads in shame! To harrass a CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR awardee who is NINETY YEARS OLD is disgusting! Someone needs to get a life. If they can’t show where it is OBVIOUSLY PROHIBITED what size flag pole is allowed they don’t have a leg to stand on. If Col. Barfoot loses this, then we have opened our doors a bit wider for the loss of more of our freedoms in this country. Too much political correctness and bowing to the minority (check it butt munch, I’m NOT talking race here, so don’t even try!) is getting old fast.
Edwin Anderson, United States Navy, Retired, and damned proud of it!
Who do I got to complain to! I just saw the MSNBC Report! I am stark raving mad. If I had the ability I would be chucking rotten tomatos at these idoits… I think that people as long as they display the flag in the proper manner (according to the federal goverment) a person should be able to show their support and love for the country that so many gave their life for! Unfortunally there are thoes types all over the damn place that say “it’s not us it’s the rules..” Well I think that this group of people could for 1. Apologize to this war vet and 2. Better hope they don’t get a lump of coal from Santa this Christman…. Baaa Humbug on thoes idoits. To all vets I am greatful for the service you provide in war and peacetime god bless all of you!
The lawyers at Coates & Barnes are the ones who ordered Col. Van Barfoot to remove his flagpole. Their phone number is (800)450-8311. I called them to voice my opposition. As far as I know at this point, they welcome all calls regarding the matter. If you call, please keep it civil, i.e., no threats or gross vulgarities. But let them know you stand with Col. Barfoot 100%.
The lawyers at Coates & Davenport are the ones who ordered Col. Van Barfoot to remove his flagpole. Their phone number is (800)450-8311. I called them to voice my opposition. As far as I know at this point, they welcome all calls regarding the matter. If you call, please keep it civil, i.e., no threats or gross vulgarities. But let them know you stand with Col. Barfoot 100%.
I see that some on this board fail to grasp the greater issue: if someone fights for freedom, then that person is entitled to it REGARDLESS of the dictatates of the Sussex Square Asshole Association. If I were Col. Barfott I’d fly my flag even H I G H E R.
I have been doing real estate development for almost 30 years and I’m sorry to say this is not all that uncommon. You give little people a little power and this is what happens. I have seen it hundreds of times when someone gets voted on a HOA board and for the first time in their live they have power and do the wrong thing. I would love to see a national law that would ban associations from prohibiting residents from flying our Nations Flag. There is on easier way to be grateful for what we have and say Thanks to our many great Vets like Col Barfoot, Mr. Underwood, SPO, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Jones and “Pissed of Vet” above.
Thank you all for your service and God Bless.
Shame on the home owners association. It should be against the law for any HOA to even pass such a thing.
God Bless this hero!
They ought to be thanking him instead!
Leave that Flag up!!!!
Tell those HOA snot nose kids (who obviously never served this country), to move to Communist China.
Coats and Davenport have on their web sight where you can make comments about this stupid suit brought on by the home owners association. Their
g-mail address cannot be addressed. Maybe we should all call their office at 804-285-7000 and ask them to drop out of this case….
Just found out the Home Owners Association telephone number has been disconnected. Call the attorneys….they won’t be changing their number for business purposes and ask them to step aside. Attorney number is
804-285-7000.
MOTHER OF A GULF WAR HERO
ADDITIONAL NUMBER FOR THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION IS 804-780-2170 TELL THEM TO STEP ASIDE AND I HOPE THE OTHER HOME OWNERS INSTALL A FLAG POLE IN THEIR YARD…..THEY CAN’T TAKE THEM ALL ON-
I served on my condominium board for ten years and eight years as President. I worked in the property management business for three years after that as a condominium property manager. Most people who live in a condominium do not know the boundaries of condominium ownership. First, the property upon which the flagpole sits is not owned by the condo owner. It is owned by the association defined as a common element. The Association has the right to set the rules for the Association based on the governing documents, the Master Deed and the By-Laws. There is another concept, which boards must follow: Maintain the Planned Look of the Community. So I am sure that the Board is following what is proper. However, The Attorney for my Association told me once “that Association Boards must be fair and consistent in applying its rules to a given incidence but should always consider, recognize and grant exceptions from time to time at least in order to receive favorable rulings in a court of law.
Further to my post above, The Colonel after being denied to raise the flagpole could have petitioned the homeowners to allow him and only him to install the flagpole. Upon receiving 10% of the signatures of the lawful owners of the Association, the Board is required to conduct a vote by the homeowners on the resolution to do so. What happened was that the Colonel angered the Board by flagrantly ignoring its decision. The Colonel went insubordinate and rogue. My wife is now on the board as treasurer and as such will consult with me from time to time. An owner in our condo complex had a son serving in the Marines in Iraq. He draped the Marine flag over the second floor front balcony because he felt it was what kept his son coming home after each tour of duty. Someone complained about the flag, the Father of the Marine asked for an exception. I told my wife grant it under the rule in my previous post and for the understanding of the father’s anguish. No one has complained since.
Further to my posts above, this board can and should make a resolution to grant this hero an exception telling the community why it has done so. Further, it can stipulate that upon transfer of ownership of the condo unit in question, it must be taken down before the sale is consummated by the seller and further in respect and in honor of the Colonel’s service to this country upon the sale of the condo unit erect a similar flag pole else where on the condo site’s common elements in memorial to the Colonel. And if anyone in the condo has a problem with that, tell them to get the h… out.
Sussex Square Homeowners’ Association should be ashamed of themselves – they obviously have no sense of honor and respect for those who have served our great country.
Thank you, for this story. And the wave that followed.
As a former soldier, and Marine. I deeply admire medal of honor winners.
I didn’t know this mans story. Until they put the screws to this 90 yr old man.
This man wiped out 3 machinegun nests, took 17 prisoners, took out a tank, an artillery piece, and helped return 2 wounded. In one day, As a Tech Sgt.. In WWII, the first of three wars he served in.
He even has a section of highway named after him.
And…he is a native American.
This is just wrong in so many ways.
This story shows what America was. And what it is becoming.
As a nation. It’s time for a gut check.
Who are we? And…do we stand for this?
I grew up in Henrico County. I was always proud to tell people of my Henrico County heritage.
I am now embarrassed and humiliated to realize that our great country’s flag is not allowed to be displayed at a true hero’s home in Henrico County. It is an honor to have Col. Barfoot as a resident in Henrico. Col. Barfoot, may GOD bless and keep you.
Sussex Square, I pray that you realize your failure in representing the true spirit of America.
GOD bless America and GOD bless our flag!