Andy, you forgot the group standing with their backs turned, sheltering themselves from the wind...or making wind.

As I sit here in the Chicago O'Hare Airport waiting for my flight to Toronto, I wonder how the parade actually went off. I wanted to go, but the client comes first.

I wonder, did the crowd show respect for those who earned it and continue to earn it to this day?

In hindsight, I hope nobody threw a tomato or cream-puff at the VFP. In some ways, I imagine they are a sad little bunch of long hairs straggling along looking pretty silly next to the proud troops who rather than attacking their military, support it.

Oh well. My plane is boarding soon.

Yo-Yo Swiftboatie Joe bags out for.... Canada.... on the day of the Veteran's Parade.

Can't make this stuff up.

CanyonRat: Good point...if Yosemite ever marches in the Veteran's Day Parade, I guess it will be apropo to turn our backs on him.

Chickenhawks always run for Canada when the heat is on ...I wanted to fight in the war ... but clients come first ... got to make the buck ... yeah, you betcha!

This refrain could be the beginning of Yo-Yo's chickenhawk anthem entitled "Chickenhawks Ueber Alles".

No, not really appropriate to turn your backs on anybody in a Veteran's day parade.

However, if they want to start up trash talking beforehand trying to incite disrespect, it's okay in my opinion to point out their past stances on various issues, like when a (Vietnam and first gulf war era) veteran runs for political office, on domestic issues like providing for our veterans and our civilians' social and medical needs in this country, instead of embracing this point of view, they do their utmost to demagogue after war care as unpatriotic. Such hypocrisy needs to be exposed.

Especially considering the constant, incessant mosquito whining for the 2 Republican chickenhawks said person has done.

In 1938 Congress proclaimed Veteran's Day by decreeing:

"...it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations..."

Sounds like Vets for Peace's goal to me.

steelybob - YosS can't march because he's not a veteran, despite the fib he told about winning a purple heart award for injuring his finger on an aircraft carrier off Vietnam. He actually used to sign his posts as "PurpleHeartVietnamVet!" Ask the old salts around here. They may remember that one. Strictly stolen valor.

Skeptic: You are making things up again.

PurpleHeartNamVet: was a caricature that was created to illuminate the absurdity of others on this blog site (and you know who you are) that pretended they were Vietnam war heroes. That character was created as a reaction to the debate where some people were saying that because they crawled through the mud of Vietnam, their anti-war viewpoints held more merit than the pro-military viewpoints of other veterans who only served on aircraft carriers. That character was absurdly outspoken about his heroism, much like you can sometimes be.

You know it.

The fact you have to lie to make your point illustrates that it is fundamentally lacking support.

I know a few real, honest heroes. One thing about heroes is they never claim to be one.

You are not a hero Skeptic. The fact that you have tried to pretend you are one makes that apparent.

Interesting that anyone would turn their back on a Veteran. Didn't they do the same job as all the other Vets when they served? Just because they march for peace now, doesn't mean we shouldn't respect their service then.

There are a few issues that I feel compelled to correct in these comments I am reading.

1. Veterans Day and the Auburn Veterans Day Parade are to recognize those that have served our great nation in a unique way.

2. Every veteran wants peace more than they want war. Many of us have seen war firsthand and we still see those images in our mind when we close our eyes at night. We don't wish that on anyone and we do it because of a heartfelt love of country, sense of responsibility, and strong feelings of patriotism. If you want to blame someone, blame the house of representatives, the senate, and the president. Because they decide what happens, where it happens, and how it will occur.

3. The parade should be restricted to those that either served or are another service organization related to the military. Veterans for peace are a group that says it members do not need to be veterans. And they seem to operate under the misguided notion that veterans sit around waiting, longing, hoping, and wishing for war. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Veterans for Peace are free to speak their peace, assemble, even have their own parade. But instead of "demonstrating" for peace at a veterans parade, why not write a letter to Nancy Pelosi and President Obama to stop the wars. Or really take a stand and go visit them and make their feelings known. The notion that vets are not for peace is patently ridiculous and insulting.

CCFamilyFarm, well said. There is a world of difference between those that served and those that ran to other countries to escape the draft. Makes you wonder how many of those in the VFP contingent were at the locations where returning vets would be called every name in the book, spit at, etc.

I don't have any issue with any veteran regardless of his position or beliefs, I for one do not want war and wish we either fought to win in both active fronts or that we pull out immediately. I do have an issue with draft dodgers passing themselves as veterans. That's my only gripe and again, if there were none (DDs)in the contingent then they (VFP) should have been afforded every courtesy and respect that veterans have earned and deserve..

fishdella, for the third time what branch of service did you serve in?

Skeptic, I do remember YS was "PurpleHeartVietnamVet!" He changed his name to avoid being charged with "Stolen Valor"

loomis I was drafted and all though I was opposed to the war I went. I felt that if another guy was drafted and killed or wounded I would be responsible. It's called "Burger's Love" check out the musical "Hair" to see what I mean. Going to war is a personal decision, especially if drafted. I hold no animosity towards those that chose differently from me. Karma played a key role in my decision and when I served I gave it all and then some to be a Marine.