Vets want removal of white flags in park (Arrested In Waterville ME)

Morning Sentinel ^ | 11/10/05 | cp124

[cp124]

WATERVILLE -- Outraged veterans are calling for the removal of 2,000 white flags that members of a local peace group planted to commemorate America's war dead in Iraq.

Calling the flags' and signs' presence in Veterans Memorial Park "a disgrace" and "illegal," one veteran asked the city to revoke the group's permit. Wayne H. Elkins, who served for one year in Vietnam and serves as station commander of Waterville's VFW Post 1285, said that he had heard rumors that if the city did not order Waterville Area Bridges for Peace and Justice to remove the flags before Veterans Day, veterans might take on the task themselves.

In the face of the protests, Bridges for Peace members are searching for common ground, and said this is an opportunity to open a dialogue in the community to discuss different viewpoints. Bridges for Peace spokesperson Bill Lord, who also served for one year in Vietnam, said that it is important that Americans not take for granted the number of Americans who are dying in Iraq.

"These flags are in honor of the soldiers who have died since the beginning of the war," he said. "I think it's important that people witness a visual representation of the number of lives lost."

Lord said that planting the flags was not meant to be a confrontational act. But Elkins read it differently.

"This stuff needs to be removed before Veterans Day," Elkins said.

Elkins said that he represents the views of many veterans in Waterville. He also said that he has received prodding from state VFW leadership to pursue the issue, but declined to disclose the names of the officials. He also said that he speaks "as an individual, and a veteran," but not as a representative of the VFW.

In the letter, Elkins referenced the Winslow Fourth of July Parade, in which parade organizer Ron LeClair refused to allow Bridges for Peace to have a pro-peace float.

"Bridges for Peace has constantly disrupted the memory of veterans this past year ... and now with the signs of protest in veterans park," he wrote.

Elkins said that the Veterans Memorial Park is not a public park, and therefore, is not a place to protest the war. He also said that, even if it were public land, it would be an inappropriate spot in which to plant flags commemorating Iraqi deaths.

Bridges for Peace planted the flags when the American death toll reached 2,000. The flags do not represent Iraqi deaths, although a separate sign bears an estimate of that number, Lord said. Another Bridges for Peace member, Arne Springorum, said that they were planning to remove the sign with the message about Iraqi deaths Wednesday night, so it wouldn't provide offense during Veterans Day.

As the peace group members were discussing the sign's removal, another resident was planning her own display. Beth McLarnon, mother of a soldier in Iraq, planned to put up a patriotic display in the same park this morning. McLarnon declined to disclose the name of her son, but said her motivation for planting American flags and a large banner stems from the fact that she does not want her son, who will be home for Thanksgiving, to see only the white flags as he drives past.

"I don't want to hear that my son is doing what he is doing for no good reason," she said in an interview last night. "I'm not for war, and neither is he."

But she said she doesn't like the white flags.

"I think the veterans park is a sacred place," she said. "What do the white flags signify? They signify retreat."

McLarnon said she sympathized with mothers such as war protester Cindy Sheehan, who have lost sons or daughters in the Iraq war. Hearing or seeing war protests is painful because there isn't an honorable alternative for a soldier but to go to war when called, she said.

"What is my son fighting for? Is he prostituting himself for his government?" she asked. "Is he supposed to go AWOL?"

Joel Elliott -- 487-3288, 861-9252

jelliott@centralmaine.com

[cp124]

They tried to remove the white surrender flags in the Veterans park. I called the Police Dept and they said they would not allow them to break the law. I asked the police chief who allowed Bridges of Peace to desecrate the park and he said since my mind was already made up he didn't want to talk to me.

Waterville Police Dept - 1 Common St, Waterville, 04901 -(207) 872-5551

[SIDENET]

Lord said that planting the flags was not meant to be a confrontational act.

Moonbats are such disgusting liars.

[saganite]

I don't see anything in there about arrests. Did you leave that out or are you trying to generate interest with a misleading title?

[mlc9852]

"I don't want to hear that my son is doing what he is doing for no good reason," she said in an interview last night. "I'm not for war, and neither is he."

Then why did he join the military?

[El Gato]

These flags are in honor of the soldiers who have died since the beginning of the war," he said. "I think it's important that people witness a visual representation of the number of lives lost."

I might believe that if they were 2,000 American Flags, rather than 2000 *white* flags.

As it is, they are lying through their teeth, and their act is treason, as defined in the Constitution, Art. III Section 3:

Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort

[cp124]

Arrested an hour ago.
http://www.asmainegoes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18250&sid=759f5871ebd35e825860483cbb8538e3

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Sick anti American scum and the State is not listed anywhere it must not be a red State.
If they try this in Huntsville, Texas there will be heck to play.

[bert]

No dialogue, no quarter for the peacenicks.

They are wrong and need to be squashed.

[sgtbono2002]

Just because you join the military does not mean you stand for war , It means you wish to protect your loved ones from it. You should be ashamed you have to have that explained to you.

[decal]

Wouldn't you want to be the attorney who will have to prosecute this case if it comes up? He may wet his pants during opening statements...

[saganite]

Thanks for the link. I think the veterans should cancel their veterans day plans in protest. If the city actually intends to protect an illegal display of cowardice on that sacred ground they obviously have no feeling for the sacrifices of their veterans anyway.

[Moose4]

So if Veterans Memorial Park isn't public land (according to the article), who owns the land, and who gave them permission for the display?

Moonbats. Every time I think they've hit rock bottom, they change bits and keep drilling.

}:-)4

[who knows what evil?]

"Do you know who you're talking to? You're one ignorant little sob, I am a social worker with a bachelors degree"

Typical. New England is overrun with these elistist snots.

[xcamel]

Apparently, to get away from a parent who is a moron.

[La Enchiladita]

ping

[SheLion]

Maine Ping!

[armymarinedad]

to complain about the anti war flags in the park contact...
Parks Dept- parks@ci.waterville.me.us
Mayor- mayor@waterville-me.gov
Governor- governor@maine.gov

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...In the face of the protests, Bridges for Peace members are searching for common ground,...

Well, I think we can all agree that you should climb to the top of those bridges for peace, and jump, you damned commies.

[La Enchiladita]

peacebridges@peacebridges.org

Affiliated with American Friends Service Committee:

http://www.peacebridges.org/

[mlc9852]

When you join the military, there is a chance you will go to war. No one said you should love war but you shouldn't be surprised to find yourself in the middle of one either.