Life Goes On

Remember the guy who wouldn't take the flag pole down on his Virginia property awhile back? You might remember the news story several months ago about a crotchety old man in Virginia who defied his local Homeowners Association and refused to take down the flag pole on his property along with the large American flag he flew on it.

Now we learn who that old man was. On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in Edinburg, Texas . That probably didn't make news back then.

But twenty five years later, on May 23, 1944, near Cyrano, Italy, That same Van T. Barfoot, who had in 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army, set out alone to flank German machine gun

positions from which gunfire was raining down on his fellow soldiers. His advance took him through a minefield but

having done so, he proceeded to single-handedly take out three enemy machine gun positions, returning with 17 prisoners of war.

And if that weren’t enough for a day's work, he later took on and destroyed three German tanks sent to retake the machine gun positions.

That probably didn’t make much news either, given the scope of the war, but it did earn Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a Colonel after also serving In Korea and Vietnam , a well deserved Congressional Medal of Honor.

What did make news was his Neighborhood Association's quibble with how the 90-year-old Veteran chose to fly the American flag outside his suburban Virginia home. Seems the HOA rules said it was OK to fly a flag on a house-mounted bracket, but, for decorum, items such as Barfoot's 21-foot

flagpole were "unsuitable".

Van Barfoot had been denied a permit for the pole, but erected it anyway and was facing Court action unless he agreed to take it down.

Then the HOA story made national TV, and the Neighborhood Association rethought its position and agreed to indulge this

aging hero who dwelt among them.

"In the timeI have left", he said to the Associated Press, "I plan to continue to fly the American flag without interference."

As well he should. And if any of his neighbors had taken a notion to contest him further, they might have done well to read his Medal of Honor citation first. Seems it Indicates Mr. Van Barfoot wasn't particularly good at backing down.

If you've read this post and don't share it, - Guess what -You need your butt kicked. I share this with you because I don't want MY butt kicked anymore and I'm tired of seeing those who hate our country yet march in our streets, tear down our statues, burn our stores and loot our businesses have a free hand to do whatever they want.

Tony: Nice to meet you, Sir.

This baked Paccheri pasta is stuffed with a feta cheese and red pepper filling and covered with an easy but rich tomato sauce

https://www.thehungrybites.com/paccheri-or-manicotti-recipe-with-feta-cheese-peppers/

Follow for recipes

Thanks so much for them. I really appreciate it as I’m a bit of a stress bucket over it.

I mentioned it in passing at the beginning of the year that I was starting this (thanks for @omgintrovert212​ checking in the odd time with me to cheer me on over it)

But yes, this cottage belonged to my late Grandparents and it is basically at the bottom of my garden (Dad had my home place built right next door when he and Mom got married). For those asking I live in Co Meath which is in the north midlands of Ireland. The house is a gate lodge to the estate across the road from it and was built sometime around 1810 - so not yesterday nor today ;) It hasn’t been lived in for about 25 years and between that and some damage from very rough Atlantic storms it needs a lot of work. Plus at the back the small kitchen which they added approx 70 years ago has been taken down so I can extend a little to incorporate a bathroom/kitchen/living area.

As I am a single gal I am doing this only with the support of my Dad (who was born and raised there) who will act as a project manager so yeah I’m stressed over it so just keep your fingers crossed I can do this and do it quickly (and under budget ;) )

Here are some other pics to show you where I am in it. I know the holes will be fixed but they still make me stressy

And I promise to keep you updated on how I get on

Regarding the pics They were taken recently - only change is that the foundations of the extension are now in.

Put on your headphones and have a listen.  I removed some of the louder clapping and amplified the section where he leans in to hug her.

I hear

“Well done.  I love you”  (And he puts emphasis on “love”)