Editor,
I could easily devote a whole column to why our veterans should always be honored and never forgotten for the numerous sacrifices they have made on behalf of each of us and for the future of our families.
Memorial Day is so special and, yes, sacred to the memory of those who have passed away, that I cannot believe what happened at Windham’s Memorial Day commemoration.
One candidate for a local political office took advantage of the crowd gathered to honor their loved ones, by handing out his literature, accompanied by the usual hand-shaking and small talk. Doesn’t he get it? No one was there to hear political rhetoric. Memorial Day is not the day for him to work the crowd. The crowd, my fellow Windhamites, was assembled to pay homage to others; they were immersed in remembering. To interrupt their thoughts was at the least, rude and unthinking.
Memorial Day becomes more relevant each year, especially in view of the absence of much of our country’s National Guard. They leave their professions and their families to face an uncertain future. And they do it for you, for me, for America.
We should treat Memorial Day and its significance with reverence and respect.
Political campaigning at Memorial Day services is totally disrespectful to the families in attendance, and to the sacrifices and memories of their beloved military. I call it disrespectful to those veterans we are fortunate enough to call neighbor and friend, some of whom were present.
I hope that this is an isolated case of simple ignorance.
Kay Soldier
Windham
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