Posted on 09/22/2004 2:54:55 PM PDT by Spackidagoosh
Decorated Soldier Reportedly Attacked At Concert. Barton Cannot Return To Iraq Due To Injuries
POSTED: 5:54 pm EDT September 20, 2004 UPDATED: 10:15 am EDT September 21, 2004
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.
FeedRoom
Soldier Reportedly Attacked
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.
Another Kerry supporter..
Another peaceful protestor.
US Soldier attacked by Pro-Kerry, Pro-Bin Ladin Thugs....
If someone at FR knows how to get in touch with TK I am sure he would at the very least call the soldier. I was at a TK concert in Joisey of all places and he brought down the house. You probably could have heard the USA chants all the way in NYC.
good lord...
sometimes Central Ohio amazes me....
that attacker is lucky Toby Keith himself didnt hop down there and kick his @$$
Kerry's supporters have taken to attacking war veterans returning home again.
Wonder if Kerry is having a flashback yet.
How about testify in front of congress that he was a war criminal?
I think these guys are going to become unhinged after Nov 2.
Cheap shot bastard.
They're getting brave...last week they were attacking 3 year old girls.
Great..."insurgent" has made it into the common lexicon. Point Reuters.
Sounds all too much like Vietnam to me.
Ohio, truly a Battleground State...
This is the character of those who support Democrats. God help this nation should by some long shot Kerry should win. That would mean our very government would be led by those who would destroy this nation.
They may come unhinged but we'll be ready. They want a war in this country we'll give it to them.
These lefty pukes are always hanging out in the parking areas handing out flyers and such touting their crap.
That's pathetic. Just a few minutes from my house, and I live in Bush Country in N. West Columbus...
I'm sending him a card.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.