www.nbc4i.com/news/3746350/detail.html
Print This Story 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 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. 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. 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 US 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. 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.
|