Yesterday was another beautiful New England day. Here in Boston, the Veterans Day parade was a short walk from Charles Street to Boston City Hall.
As usual, the Veterans For Peace were at the end on the parade. Actually, we were separated from the main parade body by two Police Motorcycle Officers. Nothing new here; we're used to marching at the end of parades. Along the parade route we received a lot of applause and peace signs; again, nothing new here.
Surprisingly, our presence was noted by the local newspapers.
Veterans Day marches onBy Michael Levenson, Globe Staff | November 12, 2006
Two World War I veterans, one leaning on a cane, the other steadying himself on his wheelchair, patted the heads of Boy Scouts and kissed the hands of female admirers.
A mother with a tiny American flag perched in her hair cheered as her 15-year-old daughter marched down Boylston Street in a crisp green uniform.
<snip>
The parade's return was not without controversy. An antiwar group, Veterans for Peace, was banned from the parade after members said they wanted to march with signs expressing their opposition to the war. But organizers of the parade said they wanted all participants to carry only flags and a banner displaying their name.
"This is not a day to support a political speech," said John P. Comer, a parade organizer and the past national commander of the American Legion. "This is a day to support our men and women in uniform."
Instead, members of the Veterans for Peace decided to march just steps behind the color guards and military bands in the main parade. Escorted by two policemen on motorcycles, they carried signs that read, "Honor the Warrior; Condemn the War," and "War Is A Racket; A Few Profit, Many Pay."
"This is a day to support our men and women in uniform." If you read the Globe article, veterans who do not agree with the invasion and occupation of Iraq are labeled "protesters." Does that mean I'm less of a veteran for disagreeing about current war policy? Is the Globe implying that my two tours in Nam mean nothing? Or does that validate my reason for supporting the Veterans For Peace and their mission?Vet marches for heroes past, presentBy Peter Gelzinis
Boston Herald Columnist
Sunday, November 12, 2006
If he had to, James Lee looked as if he could have stepped lively all the way back to Pork Chop Hill in Korea.
An ageless 77, this Everett vet didn’t simply march around Boston Common yesterday on his way to City Hall Plaza. Rather, he appeared to glide along Tremont Street to the the strains of “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
The natty lapels of his black double-breasted suit were adorned with four mementos that spanned more than half a century, medals that recalled his days as an artillery sergeant with the Army’s 40th Infantry Division in Korea. As for the three Bronze Stars, he keeps them tucked away at home.
<snip>
Yet, when James Lee walked past the Veterans For Peace contingent, preparing to take their place at the very end of the parade, he paused to look at the signs urging, “Bring The Troops Home.” James Lee smiled and held out his hand.
“I told them that sign is fine with me. I want them home, too. Fifty years ago, they told us we had to fight them over there, so we wouldn’t have to fight them over here.
“But this time,” he sighed,“I don’t know. I wonder if it’s just about the oil. God, I hope not.”
A Frank Herbert quote jumps out at me: "The sleeper has awakened!" Yesterday evening DUer lovuian posted a thread in the Video Forum
"Lest Not Forget." I highly recommend you watch this civics lesson.
Arlington West,
Arlington Miami,
Arlington East,
Eyes Wide Open, and the many exhibits and displays around the country are reminding folks about the true cost of the Iraq war.
The Robert Cray video "Twenty" is at the bottom of
this AFSC page. I'm a hugh Robert Cray fan, and highly recommend the video.
"The sleeper has awakened!" From where I'm standing, that appears to be the case.
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