Writing Shotgun
VETERAN’S DAY PARADE SPEAKS OUT
The decision by organizers of the Long Beach Veteran’s Day Parade to exclude veterans groups that oppose the war in Iraq has been in heavy news rotation the past couple of days. We’ve run nearly 10 stories about the affair and its been the Press-Telegram’s lead story the past two days.
So, it was a bit sobering to arrive this morning at the parade route on Atlantic Boulevard and be reminded that this is still a small-town kind of event. Except for the first couple of blocks of the parade route, there were long stretches of no one. And while the event has sparked discussions about what constitutes political speech, there was nary a mention of the war in Iraq–no banners, T-shirts or signs. None, that is, except for the parade’s own program.
Handed out for free to spectators, the program’s cover title read: “A Salute To Those Who Served” and under that “One Team … One Mission”
That last part sound familiar? Like maybe it’s referring to a mission that was, I dunno, accomplished?
Parade organizers had said the reason they barred the veterans groups–Iraq Veterans Against The War, Military Families Speak Out and Veterans For Peace–was because they didn’t want to politicize the parade, especially when it came to making any comment on Iraq. But, looking at the parade program, it seems they just wanted everyone to make the right comment.
Tags: District Weekly, iraq, Long Beach, press telegram, Veterans Day
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