Homeowner Associations (HOA) are known for enforcing some pretty stringent rules. One such HOA in Virginia got themselves into hot water after they went after a veteran for having a flag pole in his front yard.
Retired Col. Van T. Barfoot always had the utmost respect for the American flag and placed a 21-foot flagpole in his front yard. However, the HOA in his community said he must take it down, and if he didn't, they would be forced to take legal measures against him.
Barfoot was not willing to fall in line with the HOA, and for good reason.
Legendary Warrior
Van T. Barfoot began his military career in 1940 as an infantryman in the Army. Then, in World War II, he deployed to Italy.
In 1944, while engaged in battle, Barfoot was dismayed to see his fellow soldiers being cut down by a machine gun nest. So, he did something about it. After dashing through a minefield, he singlehandedly took out the entrenched machine gun and saved the remaining troops in his unit.
Enraged by the death of his brothers, Barfoot went on to take out two more machine gun nests and captured over 17 enemy soldiers.
Three Nazi tanks tried to fill in for the now destroyed machine guns, but he took those out too.
His incredible acts of heroism in battle earned him the Medal of Honor.
Barfoot went on to fight in Korea and Vietnam before finally retiring in 1974.
At age 90, he fought yet another battle, this time against his Virginia HOA. But, he told the AP, "In the time I have left, I plan to fly the flag without interference."
Taking Legal Action
The HOA attempted to take legal action against Barfoot, sending him a letter saying he needed to remove the flagpole from his property immediately or else they would sue him to "enforce the covenants and restrictions against you."
Barfoot had a leg up from the battles in his past. Fortunately, this time he was not alone and fighting a significantly lesser opponent. His story made national news and many people reached out to offer him assistance.
A law firm in Richmond offered to represent him pro bono, while Senator Mark Warner also offered to lend a hand. Barfoot even received a phone call from his former unit, the 157th Infantry, offering their support as well.
Naturally, Barfoot won, and his HOA deservedly lost.
Thanks to this case, legislation was enacted that prevents HOA's from going after homeowners with flag poles.
Sadly, Barfoot died two years after beating the HOA. But he left a lasting legacy that we will not forget.
All "House Off A-holes" needs to be shut down . They are communistic in their actions .
they're lucky he didn't use his old techniques on them
Exactly Right
What an awesome, awesome hero. After what he went through in the military, HOA was nothing more than a slight headache.
Thank you for the article. I found it inspirational!
Good outcome for a great American. God bless the USA.
god bless him i to love my flag vietnam vet
HOA is nothing short of full Communisim.
We need more men and women to stand up against tyranny! My hats off to this man! Let’s take back our country from these communist traders.
another veteran who is disgusted with these treasonous blow hearts!
ALL HOA's nation wide need to be declared unconstitutional!
I agree whole heartedly! They really need to be declared unconstitutional. The wanabe dictators are always running them. They tell you what to do with your property even to the point of what flowers to plant!
Such a great story for an old man to fight against politics / bogus government and to WIN IN COURT !!! I loved the story until I got to the end .... A TRUE WAR HERO , and getting shunned by FLAG HATERS !!! Retired Col. Van T. Barfoot , THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ! ! !
Excellent... a True American Tale! Our Defenders stand under one American flag and One God... period.
SHOOT all flag haters👍
What a great American Patriot! Hard to believe any HOA would ban this man flying the American Flag! HOA's are Socialistic, some have people running them that act more like Land Lords, which are arrogant and too authoritative! We lived in such a place before moving to Idaho. Great Story about a Great American and his fight to fly Our Nations Flag! One of the many fights he fought for the country he loved!!! Glad he won!!!
I agree, HOAs are terrible. However, not only am I glad he won, but I have to wonder why they are telling this story from 2012 in 2021 - it's not exactly "news"
Any wonder why we won WWII with military like Barfoot?
Today, most of them would whimper while they retreated & no woke would condescend to be hero’s alone - must be in throngs to bully us, for our beloved USA. God help America and the wimps leading our military.
Why I hate HOA, bias rigged mgmt & residents LOSE
I will NOT live in my area that has an HOA, period. They are usually run by those who were picked on as kids because they were useless. Now they find themselves with a little power and they go nuts with it.
Good for him. I dislike HOA's. Had to move when I was in one. Ya need permission to do everything. I have a flag in my front yard, way smaller than his but it can be seen.
God Bless this wonderful soldier.
Do NOT mess with us Veterans! We are often old and just don't give a toot anymore about these "Snowflake Rules". I too fly the Flag atop my 23' flagpole and defy anyone to try and make me take it down. There are four more flagpoles on my very short street of approx. 21 homes and there are even more US Flags on display that are not atop regular flagpoles, 14 to be exact that are displayed on the flagpoles, short poles on the houses or porches etc. and occasionally more!
HOAs are nothing but a worthless pile of Commie Excrement ! They love to play god over home owners ! I say they all can go to Hell !
My Hero
Meg, I don't know where you find all these goodies but I have read many of your pieces and enjoyed them!!
If people in this country don't like the American Flag, Leave this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen to that
One of my neighbors flies our American flag at the front of his house. NO ONE HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS! We love America and our flag. It gladdens my heart when I see it and emphasizes how incredibly lucky we are to live in the USA!
HOA’S are for you all to use, for repairs, painting, window screens, light fixtures, vents, repair roofs, and or replace all the roofers, and or put up fences, to keep us all safe, and make it look 👀 nice around your TownHouses. Put in new plants, trees 🌲, 🌳, bushes, flowers 💐. Very happy to hear all the nice “story” about this young man of 90 yrs. and happy he won he case to have, his AMERICAN Flag 🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Up to thanks you have a nice evening Thanks
When I moved 4 years ago to NC. told my realtor to not show me even one house within a HOA community or I'll choose another realtor.
My daughter's HOA demands every home in their subdivision have the exact brick mailbox ( $375 each) or be sued over any different one!! How's that for lunacy? Sounds like a Biden deal, right?!?
A true patriot to the end. Hoorah, Col. Barfoot.
A true American Hero! Rest in Peace!
The only thing missing in the article was the names and addresses of the people trying to make his well earned flag down. As for myself, I would like to send each and everyone of 5hem a card! It may not be what they expect as I had three uncles who served in WorldWar One, my Father in World War Two, my brother in law in the South Pacific in the Marines, my husband, the Air Force in Korea, my nephew graduated fromWest Point and stayed for the duration!
I wonder if any of those losers in his neighborhood served anyone but themselves….ever!
A special human being. We need more of him in this world! Nuff' said.
HOAs, in general, think they have the power to dictate absurd rules on everyone. It IS the fascists and commies who disrespect the country and it's people and there should be an adult overseer watching over their anti-American idiocy.