Army Col. Van T. Barfoot (ret.) – Flag controversy

Col. Van T. Barfoot (ret.) honorably served our country through three wars, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He has received a Purple Heart, Medal of Honor and other decorations for his valiant actions. Today he has won another battle, the battle to fly the flag of the United States of America, the Stars and Stripes in front of his home.

Col. Barfoot lives in a Sussex Square housing development in Henrico County, Virginia. He also lives in a development governed by a homeowners’ association – and this is where the battle began. It appears that the association didn’t like Col. Barfoot’s 21-foot flagpole… it violated their aesthetic guidelines. They prefer flags to be flown from poles attached to the home and wanted the flagpole removed or else they would take Col. Barfoot to court.

As the Colonel’s story came to public attention, his cause was joined by Senator Mark Warner and Senator Jim Webb, both of Virginia. Even White House press secretary Robert Gibbs commented on the situation as being “silly.”

All of this negative publicity has caused Col. Barfoot’s homeowner’s association to drop their request to remove the flagpole.

Col. Barfoot has won another victory, and this time he didn’t have to travel half-way around the world to do it.

To read more about Col. Van T. Barfoot go to this FOXNews story.