Iraq Vets Against The War Not Allowed To Join Veterans Parade

[babylonsister]

I guess we all DO have to march in lockstep or you lose your rights.


Anti-war Vets Slam Parade Ban
by Kelly Puente

LONG BEACH - Iraq veteran Jason Lemieux might not be marching in the 11th annual Long Beach Veterans Day Parade on Saturday.1108 08

The Marine, who served three tours of duty in Iraq and is now against the war, was hoping to march as a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, a national organization that calls for immediate withdrawal of troops in Iraq.

The group’s application, however, was rejected last month because of its political views, parade coordinators said.

“I wanted to march like the rest of the Iraq veterans,” said Lemieux, a 24-year-old Anaheim resident. “I served my country. I’m a veteran of a foreign war. I think I deserve that respect.”

Iraq Veterans, along with the groups Veterans for Peace and Military Families Speak Out, applied to march together in the parade this year under the entry “Military Patriots.”

After reviewing each group’s mission statement, the Veterans Day Parade Committee, a non-profit group that organizes the event, voted unanimously to reject the application, said parade coordinator Martha Thuente.

“They do not fit the spirit of the parade,” she said. “The spirit being one of gratitude for what the veterans have done. We do not want groups of a political nature, advocating the troops’ withdrawal from Iraq.”

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/08/5107/

[bdamomma]

1. the coordinator of the parade is probably a * loyal.

[babylonsister]

3. No excuse; these people are vets who did their duty. They should be

allowed in this parade that's celebrating them! :nuke: :grr:

[SeattleGirl]

2. Yeah! Keep the rabble rousers out! We must not dishonor Our Dear Leader.

:sarcasm: (In case I wasn't clear....)

[Richard Steele]

4. And some people still can't see the fascism. grrrecommended.

[hobbit709]

5. But it's OK to have "groups of a political nature"

that support bush's war like the AL and VFW march in it. It's not the political part they're against, it's which side of the political.

[atreides1]

7. Of course it is

As stated they don't want groups that advocate the withdrawal of the troops from Iraq. I guess that means she loves the death, destruction, and displacement that goes on, and it's okay that troops are dying, just as long as they don't withdraw from Iraq!!!!

What a facist hag!!!!

[atreides1]

6. What the Hell Does This Mean

“The spirit being one of gratitude for what the veterans have done."

So, she has no gratitude for what these veterans have done, she's only grateful to those veterans that goose step to the same music as Bush and his Facist supporters, people just like her!!!!

What a hag!!!!

[babylonsister]

8. Maybe they only honor dead vets who can't voice an opinion? nt

[Mudoria]

9. I don't have a problem with it

if they also keep any pro-war support out of the parade. If you want it to be apolitical and only support veterans then say so beforehand so everyone knows the ground rules from the outset.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. This happens all over the country on Veterans Day

and on Memorial Day. Sad that the pro-war vets can't recognize the importance of honoring ALL veterans, even the ones who disagree with the current war.

[alstephenson]

11. Vets for Peace will be marching in the Phoenix Veteran's Day Parade!!!

This will be the third year, I believe. My BF is a member so I march with them. It took a lot of "negotiating" - promising to "be good". No signs, no "disrespectful" t-shirts, etc. We carry flags and banners (US, peace sign, Vets for Peace), and a flag-draped coffin. It is surprising how many people actually applaud and give the peace sign! Oh, and then there is that other sign that some give (the single finger salute). This year we are also marching with a wagon that has 104 pairs of boots for the 104 Arizonans killed in Iraq. That may be pushing the envelope a bit - we'll see. The local peace groups set up their signs and banners along the route.

Last year I overheard a young boy ask his mother "is there somebody dead in that coffin, mommy?". Hopefully that led to a meaningful discussion about war and death. Who knows.

[unhappycamper]

12. Ditto Boston

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=158x13441

[TahitiNut]

13. Ahhh yes. The whole nation turns out to celebrate Veterans Day -- like a 2nd Halloween.

:silly:

Everywhere veterans go we have people just saying "Thanks!" with a smile. It's heartwarming.