Peaceful Auburn Veterans Day parade this time for Veterans for Peace
A year after a fracas at the Auburn Veterans Day parade, Veterans for Peace had a much more peaceful march Wednesday. A contingent of 15 Veterans for Peace members was greeted with warm applause along much of the route, as well as quite a few peace signs. Last Nov. 11, the Veterans for Peace presence precipitated a brouhaha that led to a 70-year-old member getting punched twice in the head, a tug-of-war over their banner, and accusations that a Legion official was taunted by the group and had his hat swiped off his head. The parade committee voted to allow the peace organization in again this year. Event chairwoman Cynthia Haynes said that she was proud the committee elected to include Veterans for Peace and that things went “beautifully.” Paul McDaniel, a Vietnam veteran, watched the parade from High Street and applauded enthusiastically as the Veterans for Peace group walked by on Wednesday. “There’s nothing wrong with peace – I’m all for it,” McDaniel said. “I was a little put out with what happened last year.” Along the route, Lou Robohm joined two other men next to him to turn their backs on Veterans for Peace as they walked by. They were the lone three observed turning their backs in protest by the Journal as the veterans walked the route. “I did my part and was proud of it,” said Robohm, a reservist in World War II and veteran of Korea. “I definitely don’t agree with the group. They’re yellow bellies as far as I’m concerned.” Carroll Nast, president of the 47-member Veterans for Peace Gold Country chapter, said he was pleased with the response along the route and was treated “fine” by parade officials. “It was 99 percent positive, with the rest from what we could see, indifferent,” Nast said. Nast added the group would likely ask for a different place in the parade because this year they were sandwiched between two vehicles that made too much noise.
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One sign = $40
Historical Costumes = $200
Peaceful Veterans Day Parade = Priceless
- Good to see that most folks behaved themselves.
Gus,
Not to be contradictory but your reporters werent looking very hard. I wittnessed more back turning scattered amongst the parade route. Not that it matters who's counting, or who is right or wrong (because if you did I guess I would be wrong, as I am not known to be politcally correct). I am glad however that the parade was peaceful and very respectful from both camps on the issue.
The whole idea of the back turning was to voice a personal opinion in in disagreement peacefuly toward the VFP's polotical position, to which I did when they passed by me. With that being said, I will get off my soapbox as my position has as least been noted.
On a different note: I must commend the parade organizers for a fantastic parade. The fly over was an awesome touch which put icing on the cake to make the event special. It made my heart feel good to know that the Viet Nam Veterans were finally "Welcomed Home Properly" it was long overdue. I understand from a Veteran friend of mine (and fellow back turner) that they served 1400 hot dogs at the fair grounds, that alone is another pat on the back for the parade committee and volunteers. I was especially moved by one Veteran who walked the parade route with his walker to steady him, I don't know his name but they just don't make heroes like him anymore!
All veterans get my respect. What ever their personal feelings are about the wars currently being fought each has given, when asked, to our nation and deserve our respect.
Maybe I'm just missing something. But, aren't the Vets for Peace, vets who have served their country too? They have been to war, they are not "yellow bellies". If you have fought and killed for your country you have also fought to retain the freedom to dislike war. AND when the heck did wanting peace translate into not supporting our troops? You can hope and pray for the safety of our troops and hate war at the same time.
When I was in high school, I wore a bracelet that said "war is not healthy for children and other living things". That didn't mean I didn't support friends and family members who were serving. During that same time, my uncle was proving himself a hero in Viet Nam and received the Silver Star for running back and forth in heavy fire carrying dead soldiers and friends to a helicopter. He won't even look at the medal now. Would you turn your back on my uncle? Everyone who served our country deserves respect no matter what their political views.
Why is this news. How about pictures of the parade? Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I know all vets are for peace. Yadayadayada
To the VFP This old Marine says, eyes front and take a full 30 inch step.
Banker and Salmander,
It's not the question of wether or not the Veterans in the Veterans for Peace Organization served, as I am sure they did. There are actual draft dodgers in the Vetreans for Peace Organization. There are also members of the Veterans for Peace Organization who were never veterans at all, they make claims to the horrors of war they have never witnessed first hand. There are members that berate, and belittle young soldiers for their military service. There are members that have gone to highschools and accosted young people and say that if they serve in the military they are "warmongers", and other choice explatives. These are the ones I take true exception with, they are anti-military at all cost.
I do not like the fact that they instill doubt in the minds of our young soldiers, as doubt in a soldiers mind may make him/her a casualty of war. They say that they are Veterans for Peace, yet they employ non-peaceful tactics in getting their message out. They bring anger to many other veterans who have served this country in noble fashion. Don't take my word on it, ask around and get the answers for yourself, ask the parade committee, ask my son who is a soldier, ask other veterans, ask law enforcement officials, etc. Perhaps the worst members of the Veterans for Peace organization are the non-veterans, but they are allowing the bad apples to spoil the barrel.
If their members offend one of my veteran heroes it is unacceptable.
ChuxxR,
I know you and I differ on our polotics, but thank you for your service.
You will be shocked but...I agree with you that this topic should no longer be news, everybody minded their P's and Q's so there is no news to report.
12 and counting.
CanyonRat,
What does 12 and counting mean?
"had his hate swiped off his head" ,,, fabulous. Should happen to us all.
"Along the route, Lou Robohm joined two other men next to him to turn their backs on Veterans for Peace as they walked by."
Yes it looks like there are still dis-respectful people out there, and Lou and his two cronies are part of them,...glad it all turned out well for all...
Born_Here: What branch did you serve in?
Thank you Lou for holding your stance. Isn't freedom of speech wonderful? I would have also turned my backs to them. Get over it. We're entitled to my opinion no matter how politically incorrect it is.
Euripides,
I have not had the honor to have served in any branch of the armed forces. I am the proud father of a proud soldier who's unit is set to deploy sometime in January. Why does it matter are unless you are going to try and discredit me by clouding the issue of my patriotism, or lack of military service?
If you must know:I did try to enlist in the Marine Corps during the first Gulf War, but the recruiter gave me honest advice. I was in my mid twenties and a young parent and he asked me to honestly answer a few questions.
Question one: "Did I want to make the Marine Corp a lifetime career?" my answer to him was no
Question Two: "Did I already have a career I was passionate about?" my answer to him was yes
Question Three: "Was my reason for enlisting solely based on the U.S. being at war and a sense of duty?" my answer to him was yes
Question Four: "Did I want to be around to watch my son grow up and not in another part of the world on birthdays, graduations, etc.?"
He told me that he would be glad to enlist me into service but the war would be over in a couple of weeks. If I did not want to make the Marine Corps a lifetime career not to join, because the Marine Corp had enough men to get the war won.
I even spoke to an Army National Guard recruiter two years ago, as they raised the age limit to forty-two.
Coulda, woulda, shoulda...
Maybe you aught to leave things involving vets to vets, eh? You discredit your own patriotism when you question others who actually served. (Yes, I'm a vet - six years)
14 and counting.
Euripides,
I have never questioned the charachter or honor of any Veterans who actually served. I questioned the actions of VFP members and the element of people to which they are associated. I question the reasoning for a politcal statement they make with their presence on a day of honor for our heroes. I question the actions of those that bring contempt to other veteran hero's. Go back and read any of my post's of this thread or any other, you will find I actually pay them due respect. I have disagreed strongly with their political statement, and their timing of such.
Well Born Here, I guess the good news is that no political statement was made and the parade went off without incident. VFP & all.
By the way I'm not a member of the VFP. It just chaps my hide when I see people hiding behind some sort of blind fanaticism in the name of "patriotism" & "honoring those who protect our freedoms" while trying to silence those same freedoms. It's a pet peeve of mine.
I respect your opinion - I just don't agree with it.
I should say, rather, that I respect your RIGHT to an opinion. Not so much the opinion. Then again you know what they say, "opinions are like as..."
...everybody has one....lol
I agree with your statement "It just chaps my hide when I see people hiding behind some sort of blind fanaticism in the name of "patriotism" & "honoring those who protect our freedoms" while trying to silence those same freedoms. It's a pet peeve of mine.
If anywhere I gave the impression that I believe that VFP or anyone for that matter is not entitled tohave or state their opinions, I here and now publicly apologize. I felt the Veterans Day Parade was the wrong venue for it.
You're alright, Born Here.