ShawneeDispatch.com

To the editor:

After 39 years of proudly leading the Old Shawnee Days parade, we have been told to move to the back of the bus.

Our color guard was told in no uncertain terms that we would not be leading it this year. The parade committee of Mr. Rick Wartko and others decided to shuffle the lineup.

The governing body of the American Legion had a meeting Monday, June 2. After much discussion, we put it to a vote of whether to march. The vote was unanimous: We would not be marching.

We had to call the American Legion Band in Kansas City, Mo., and let them know the march was canceled. The charter bus was then canceled. Then the Auxiliary was called to let them know not to order the food for the band. These are all things the American Legion pays for.

We have a quote in the post that reads: “It’s not the price you pay to belong; it’s the price you paid to become eligible.”

Mr. Wartko and Dan Land, co-chairman of the color guard, had been discussing the issue. After hearing Dan talk, I know Mr. Wartko did not serve honorably in the military or he would not have this frame of mind.

Nevertheless, we still want to serve the community in any way we can.

I will sign off on this quote that I have seen on a bumper sticker: “No Veterans-No America.”

Glenn Wilson

Adjutant, Shawnee American Legion Post 327

Post a comment

ShawneeDispatch.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

Requires free ShawneeDispatch.com registration.