Veterans Denied Rights By Veterans?

[babylonsister]

Veterans Denied Rights By Veterans?
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2008-05-12 13:36.



On April 14, 2008 Veterans For Peace, Delwin Anderson Memorial chapter
of Washington D.C. was officially accepted to join the National
Memorial Day parade on May 26, 2008.
http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com/ On April 28 Veterans For
Peace received notice that the organization did not meet the criteria
to participate. This notice was sent by the American Veterans Center
which is the organizer for the parade.
http://www.americanveteranscenter.org

The parade director's revocation of Veterans For Peace participation
stated "Unfortunately, we cannot have elements in the parade that have
any type of political message or wish to promote a viewpoint."
Veterans For Peace responded with a request for reconsideration
because there was no agenda for presenting any type of political
message or viewpoint. Veterans For Peace has not received any further
communication from the parade director or the American Veterans
Center.

This chapter has lost three WWII members since July 2007 and there are
not many parades left for the two survivors to join. Plans were made
to have the WWII veterans and Mrs. Delwin Anderson ride in a
convertible and VFP members would march in the front and rear of the
convertible with VFP and American flags. It is difficult to express
their disappointment.

Veterans For Peace chapters throughout America have been receiving
similar treatment from other parade organizers especially this past
Veterans Day. Veterans For Peace does not accept veterans trying to
keep other veterans from being seen in public. It is in the public
interest to be aware that veterans who once took an oath to support
and defend the Constitution are participating in efforts to deny their
fellow veterans rights that are accorded to us all.

more...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/33378

[unhappycamper]

1. It happens all the time.

The American Legion 'owns' the Veterans Day festivities across the country.

[babylonsister]

2. That doesn't make it right. Weren't you

involved last Vet's Day in a protest in Boston?
I just think they're trying to curb free speech, one of the 'rights' vets have fought and died for.

[unhappycamper]

4. Yes, I was.

Like many war supporters, the AL reminds you "Free speech isn't free." Unfortunately they also forget about that first amendment thingie AND the fact that they swore "to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

The Boston Veterans Day parade is a wet dream for war lovers. Martial music, JROTC all decked out in their uniforms, patriotic/jingoistic speeches, .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a deuce and a half, etc. etc.

[hootinholler]

3. kick n/t