Stephen Joss

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 time I 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. WE ONLY LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE! AND, BECAUSE OF BRAVE OLD MEN LIKE VAN BARFOOT!

@NoDMsPerfavore Myself

BOAT IS SINKING AND THERE'S ONLY 1 LIFE JACKET- WHO ARE YOU SAVING?

Memorial Day is not about a long weekend. It is about honoring the brave men and women who gave everything so we could live free. May God bless them, comfort their families, and help us never take their sacrifice for granted. As an Army veteran and firefighter, I carry their memory with me every shift. 🇺🇸🙏❤️

@BBGreatMoments Don Newcombe,Brooklyn Dodgers 1955

Who was the ace of your favorite team when you first started watching baseball?

@junogsp7 @NowPammsy 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👏👏👏

Memorial Weekend 2026 🇺🇸 🫡 This is such a poignant and respectful remembrance for all 9,387 US soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom on D-Day in Normandy. French caretakers’ tradition of taking sand from Omaha Beach and scrubbing it into the letters of the tombstones makes the names more visible and gives them a golden appearance.

@IndianaGPA @lucyshow11 It is solemn and beautiful and the thing that made happy to see it was there was nothing commercial there .

If you ever get the chance to go to Normandy, take it. Don't just visit it-take your time and let it sink in, because it is one of the most humbling experiences I've ever had. Standing there, looking out across those beaches, you can almost feel the weight of what happened there. It's hard to fully understand what those soldiers went through until you're standing in that place, realizing the courage it took just to run toward that shore. The beauty of Normandy is quiet and powerful, but so is the sacrifice it represents. The rows of white crosses, the history in the ground, the silence in the air-it all reminds you that freedom came at a tremendous cost. It's the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave. It makes you grateful, reflective, and a little more aware of how much was given for the life we live today. Normandy is more than a battlefield. It is a lesson in sacrifice, bravery, and remembrance. 🙏🇺🇸🙏

@MarciaSessler 👍

Not Only Thrive, But Likely Very More Greatly Survive!!!

@MarciaSessler Of course,that money should go to Americans

What Is There NOT To Support?? They Are Lawbreakers!! I Support DJT---Likely The Greatest President In History!!

@CL4WS_OUT @Therealrobx 80, no wreck& no Tat

Have you ever…? 100 for me! 10/10 Drop your scores below.

Bless our warriors - They sacrifice so much along with their families and ask for so little - Let's keep them all in our prayers. Memorial Day is a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the US military.

@DogLovers03 And it will be a very sad day.

Never forget the fallen.

🙏🇺🇸🙏 Mildred "Millie" Cox wasn't just part of history-she helped shape it in her own steady, determined way. The kind of woman who didn't ask for recognition, but earned it anyway. At just 20 years old, while the world was at war and uncertainty filled the air, Millie stepped forward to serve. Back then, women in the Marine Corps were still a rare sight, but she didn't hesitate. She wore the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor with pride, becoming one of the trailblazers who helped open the door for generations to come. Her work as a stenographer may not have made headlines, but it mattered more than most people realize. In a time when every detail counted, she played her role with precision and dedication-quiet strength that helped keep the mission moving forward. Being from a family with deep respect for the Marine Corps, stories like Millie's hit a little closer to home. You grow up understanding that wearing that uniform isn't just about service-it's about sacrifice, honor, and carrying something bigger than yourself. Millie lived that, every step of the way. What stands out most is how she carried those values long after her time in uniform. Service wasn't something she turned off-it was who she was. In her community, in her family, in the way she lived her life with humility and purpose. She also shared a remarkable 70-year marriage with her husband, William, a fellow World War Il veteran. That kind of bond— built on shared experience, sacrifice, and loyalty-is something you don't just see, you feel. It's the kind of story that reminds you what that generation was made of. Living to 102, Millie witnessed a century of change, yet remained rooted in the same strength and character that defined the Greatest Generation. People like her don't just leave behind memories-they leave a standard. One that reminds all of us, especially those connected to the Corps, what it truly means to serve with honor. 🙏🇺🇸🙏 Photo courtesy of billbrettboston.com

I always think of this quote on memorial weekend.

@WHLeavitt @MarciaSessler 👍

A 7-year-old girl was snatched, raped, tortured, and murdered by pedophile Klaus Grabowski. In court, he claimed she seduced him for candy and toys Her mother shot him dead and served 3 years. Was this mother a hero? A. Yes B. No

@shea_Hello @CaseyJ_516 Disaster

One word to describe the ⬇️ GO!

@lippyent An over due book report

What's the first thing that pops in your 🧠? Hmm 😒 🤔?¿