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.

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.

Look people, I don’t give a good…….. flip …… about whether you support the war or not. You’re entitled to your opinions. But there is absolutely NO EFFIN EXCUSE for hitting someone in the back of the head and then punching and kicking them so much that they can’t go back to do their job.

I don’t have polite words right now…. I just want to punch somebody. I’m just really, really ticked. And a little bit disillusioned. *sigh*

Thanks to Citizen Smash

update: You know what really burns me? I want so much to blame this on the anti-war peace activists, and there’s not enough info in the article for me to make that assumption. It could just be a redneck dirtbag (yes, we have some of those in Ohio) who thought it would be fun to punch a soldier. It bothers me that my immediate instinct is to blame those who I disagree with. I thought (hoped?) I was more civilized/rational than that.