American Legion Post 215 moved their annual Veterans Day program from its usual location at the courthouse to the auditorium of Goochland High School this year and gave students and others a chance to meet one of the few surviving WWII Medal of Honor winners.

Now 91, Col. Van Thomas Barfoot was most recently the subject of media coverage last year due to his dispute with the Sussex Square neighborhood association over his unauthorized flagpole.

It took the intervention of the American Legion, senators and congressmen, not to mention thousands of supporters, before the neighborhood association finally relented and allowed Barfoot to fly Old Glory every day.

But last week that was all in the past.

What was new last Thursday was the tribute students and others paid to the Colonel and all the nation’s veterans.

Barfoot received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 23, 1944, near Carano, Italy, when he took on three German tanks (after putting three German machine gun positions out of action, killing numerous enemy soldiers and taking 17 prisoners).

And although Barfoot was the Guest of Honor, the ceremony honored every U.S. veteran.

“The reason there is freedom around the world today is because of the valor of U.S. veterans,” said Joe Wadle, First Vice Commander of American Legion Post 215.

Post Commander Matt Kalan read from the journal of a Marine.

Called “Principles my Father Taught Me,” the journal entry read in part:

“Live with integrity…Believe in something bigger than yourself…Conquer your fears…Be valorous on the field of battle…Take responsibility for your actions always.”

Kalan then revealed that the author, Major Douglas Zemiec, died while attacking the enemy March 11, 2007. He was serving his fourth tour of duty in Iraq.

At least one young student was touched by the program.

“I actually cried a little,” said 14-year-old Jesse Short, who plays flute in the GHS Band.

“They’ve done so much for us,” said Short of the contributions of the nation’s veterans.

Barfoot’s remarks were brief. A native of Mississippi, he praised the hospitality of Virginians and encouraged young people to consider joining the military.

“If you have the strength and ability to serve your country, nothing is more important,” said Barfoot.

The program also featured the hymns of each branch of the armed services and veterans were asked to stand when theirs was played.

As always, members of the post auxiliary placed a memorial wreath for fallen veterans at the front of the auditorium.

After the familiar strains of Taps sounded to end the program, Col. Barfoot spent at least 15 minutes shaking hands, posing for photographs and receiving thanks from the crowd, particularly from GHS students.

Barfoot gets a hug from Chris Peters, widow of former American Legion Post 215 Commander and Virginia Department Commander Jack Peters.