Larry Northern
Encyclopedia
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
realtor and gun enthusiast from Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
. In August 2005 Northern was arrested and charged with criminal mischief after he drove his pickup truck
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
through the Arlington West
Arlington West
For the documentary of the same name, see Arlington West: The Film.Arlington West refers to two closely related projects, both of which are intended to draw public attention to, and to open a discourse on the subject of both military and civilian deaths during the invasion and occupation of Iraq...
display of memorial crosses (each bearing the name of an American soldier killed in Iraq) that had been set up at Camp Casey
Camp Casey, Crawford, Texas
Camp Casey was the name given to the encampment of anti-war protesters outside the Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas during US President George W...
, the protest site organized by peace activist Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Lee Miller Sheehan is an American anti-war activist whose son, U.S. Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, was killed by enemy action during the Iraq War. She attracted national and international media attention in August 2005 for her extended anti-war protest at a makeshift camp outside President...
near the ranch of President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
near Crawford
Crawford, Texas
Crawford is a town located in western McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is best known as the home of former President of the United States George W. Bush. He currently resides at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, which is located just outside Crawford, Texas....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Northern replied in the Waco Tribune-Herald, "I have been to Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. It is a beautifully manicured and stately place for our honored soldiers who have given their lives for our country and freedom. There laid to rest with dignity and respect ... I feel deep compassion for them and their families. The memories of these brave men deserve the honor, care and respect afforded them there. There is no honor or respect by demeaning their service to their country or their mission by placing sticks in a ditch with their names attached with rubber bands and typing paper. Their spirit called out for someone to help them. Someone did." Waco Tribune Herald, December 2, 2006
Northern's truck, which was dragging a large pipe at the time of the vandalism, damaged several hundred of the crosses, but no one was injured.
On January 17, 2001 the Baylor
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
Lariat quoted Northern as saying, "There is a county ordinance that has recently been passed to keep traffic off the road near [the president's] ranch."
Arresting Officer Lynch confirmed Tuesday that he and Northern both attend the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco.
"I am not going to talk about it," Lynch said. "I know his family".
Waco attorney Russ Hunt, who represented Northern, said Northern acted out of respect for the troops fighting in Iraq. "It was an unfortunate situation," Hunt said. "Larry couldn't stand the sight of those troops laying in the ditch. His act, at least in his mind, was an act of honor and respect to those troops. It wasn't something that was meant to dishonor the troops. He didn't think it was honorable for those troops to be symbolically buried in a ditch." Northern served 11 months and three days in the Army in Vietnam. He was wounded in the Mekong Delta in southeast Vietnam in 1969, suffering permanent nerve damage to his neck when shrapnel tore through his arm and severed the carotid artery in his neck. Waco Tribune Herald, December 2, 2006
Precinct 4 McLennan County
McLennan County, Texas
McLennan County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 213,517; in 2008 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population to be 230,213. Its seat is Waco. The county is named for Neil McLennan, an early settler....
Commissioner Ray Meadows defeated Northern in the 1986 Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary but said Northern recently played at a golf tournament held to raise money for Meadows' latest re-election bid. He also said that as far as he was concerned, Larry was a Vietnam veteran.
Waco Tribune Herald, December 2, 2006