Commentary; Posted: 6/14/06
Newspaperís editorial made Memorial Day program political
Mary Jo York
Guest Columnist
In your article of June 1, 2006, regarding this yearís Memorial Day Celebration ñ you stated that it was turned into a political event ñ when it is you, by virtue of your position with this newspaper, who turned our day of acknowledging our comrades who have died defending your very right to print such articles, into your own little political bashing session.
I attended a very different Memorial Day celebration, with dedicated speakers, veterans and gold star mothers. Yet amazingly, we attended the same event!
I ask ñ who would you have invited to speak Mr. Buchan?
It is difficult enough trying to find respected individuals from our community willing to ìgive-upî their holiday weekend and commemorate such a significant day with us. CWO Dettmer was on the dais because he is a recently returning veteran of the Iraq War as well as a member of the community.
Rep. Vandeveer and Sen. Bachmann, both elected (chosen to serve the members of this community by the members of this community, not by the American Legion or the VFW) have given of themselves repeatedly when it comes to addressing veterans issues.
So on a day, dedicated to veterans, why would we not have two community representatives, who are also two of our most staunch defenders, as speakers?
No doubt, Rep Vandeveerís introduction of Sen. Bachmann was indeed the improper forum for such an introduction, but we are talking eight words in a speech out of an hour-long program! Had I not been in attendance myself, I would have interpreted from your article that the whole event was a political rally, yet not once did I hear any mention of any particular political party from anyone.
I wonder, if either one or both of the speakers had not attended the Memorial Day celebration, how your article would have read? Iím sure you would have ìtouchedî on their absence as well.
I am thankful we have these two individuals, whatever their political affiliation, who continuously give of themselves to our community and to veteranís issues.
Just curious Mr. Buchan, since I was deployed to Bosnia at the time, if you devoted a quarter of the newspaper page for your article because of eight words in an hour long program ñ how many pages did your commentary cover of Sen. Wellstoneís funeral?
The Writer lives in Forest Lake and is a member of American Legion Post 225 and VFW Post 4210.
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