Decorated Soldier Reportedly Attacked At (Toby Keith) Concert

http://www.nbc4i.com/news/3746350/detail.html ^ | September 20, 2004

[flutters]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A local soldier back from the war in Iraq said he was beaten at an area concert because of what was printed on his T-shirt, NBC 4's Nancy Burton reported.

Foster Barton, 19, of Grove City, received a Purple Heart for his military service in Iraq. He almost lost his leg last month after a Humvee he was riding in ran over a landmine.

Barton said he was injured again Friday night in a crowded parking lot as he was leaving the Toby Keith concert at Germain Amphitheatre. The solider was injured so badly that he can't go back to Iraq as scheduled.

"I don't remember getting hit at all, really," said Barton, a member of the 1st Calvary Division. "He hit me in the back of the head. I fell and hit the ground. I was knocked unconscious and he continued to punch and kick me on the ground."

Barton and his family said he was beat up because he was wearing an Iraqi freedom T-shirt.

"It's not our fault," Barton said. "I'm just doing a job."

According to a Columbus police report, six witnesses who didn't know Barton said the person who beat him up was screaming profanities and making crude remarks about U.S. soldiers, Burton reported.

One witness, a friend of the alleged attacker, said Barton hit first. Police said they do not think that witness is credible since the six other witnesses said Barton was hit from behind.

Barton's mother said she has a message for her son's alleged attacker, who police said ran into the crowd after the incident and was not arrested.

"He needs our prayers, just like the insurgents, because he's a coward," Cindy Barton said.

After a two-week leave, Barton was supposed to return to Iraq Tuesday. But his broken nose will delay his return.

Barton is waiting for doctors to tell him when he can return to active duty. He said wants to go back as soon as possible because his unit was just attacked. Eleven soldiers were wounded and two were killed, he said.

[SmithL]

Kerry did say he was in a fighting mood, and once again, it's American soldiers that are attacked.

[Soul Seeker]

If you don't mind, ping me too!

I hope both the Prez and Toby get wind of this.

I recommend if they find the cretin to drop him in the middle of a few dozen soldiers and let them decide a fitting punishment.

[harpu]

Iraqi Freedom T-Shirts

[Peach]

This is what Kerry has wrought. I hate him.

[Ueriah]

Best wishes for a fast recovery after such a cowardly act!

[Sunshine55]

Thanks for the link. I think now more than ever I gotta get me one!

[bayourod]

Thanks. I'm buying.

[Unknowing]

Since Fall is on the way, I think I'll get a sweatshirt.

[Sunshine55]

Cheney was in Grove City tonight at the High School. I hope they had an opportunity to meet or at least talk.

[flutters]

I called the station and they didn't have an address. I left a message with the person that reported the story. I will ping/post when I get one.

[conservative_crusader]

Have you seen the guy... Toby's like 6'4" he's
HUGE. Whoever our attacker is would run off with his tail between his legs

[Cogadh na Sith]

The Cold Civil War we've been in occasionally heats up.

[Blue Scourge]

...gee...I wonder who the attacker is going to vote for....f'n coward.

[Sunshine55]

Thanks hon. I'll check the Dispatch in the morning too.

[GoBucks2002]

First Highway shooters now a-holes who sucker punch hero soldiers? Now I know why I moved from Grove 'Tucky...

While there are a multitude of well and valid reasons for one to move from Grove Tucky, let's remember that the veteran who was attacked is the one whom we think lives in that area. We don't know where the attacker(s) live.

Full disclosure: I grew up in Westerville and worked at the Germain Amphitheatre during its innaugural summer of existence, when it was known as Polaris Amphitheatre.

It saddens me to see what a PC rathole Columbus is turning into. I had some degree of hope for Mayor Coleman, but he is quietly putting the screws to the police force. A white Columbus cop puts his job on the line each time he pulls over a black motorist. My guess is that the Mayor will see to it that these punks get off scot-free (the Amphitheatre is in the City of Columbus) and they will track down Mr. Barton and figure out something on which to arrest him.

[nomad]

I`m telling you, if I attend anymore freeps, my sign will have a long, heavy hickory handle!

[beethoven]

Kerry must be very pleased now. . .I wish someone could break his ugly uppity nose.

[ezo4]

I bet this piece of crap came up and cold cocked this young soldier. Probably didnt look at him in the face I bet.

[Sola Veritas]

"I normally dislike country but it's impossible to dislike Toby. He's a class guy."

Believe it or not, I read where Toby says he is a Democrat. However, that has no bearing on what that(those) thugs did to this soldier. The cowards didn't even have the huevos to face the young man. Pathetic.

[PajamaTruthMafia]

Kerry engendered this sort of thing in 71 and now he's doing it again in 04! He must be stopped!