Charlestown

Lack of respect shown to country’s veterans

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines respect as: to think highly of; show honor or courtesy — pay one’s respect, etc.

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, is designated by the Congress of the United States as the day set aside so our country can show its respect and honor to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting in our country’s wars.

The Charlestown Memorial Day Committee, Inc., a private non-profit charitable organization, was incorporated in 1998 to raise the necessary funds to produce the town’s annual Memorial Day parade and observances to give the town’s residents and guests an opportunity to honor those who have fallen.

The observances are recognized as among the best in the state because they are produced in a respectful professional manner. The Memorial Day Committee’s success and widespread public support is rooted in the consistent dedication of it members and the many volunteers who have made it happen for 10 years.

Since its inception, the committee has scrupulously avoided all political entanglements, reaching out to and receiving the universal support of Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike. At the May 12 Charlestown Town Council meeting, however, Harriet Allen and Katharine Waterman engaged in petty political antics at the expense of the many volunteers of the Charlestown Memorial Day Committee and the ideals it has long sought to adhere to. The issue they chose to create their private political havoc over was the application of a street vendor to sell balloons at this year’s Memorial Day parade.

The Charlestown Memorial Day Committee, Inc. recognizes Memorial Day as a solemn occasion, and each year since 1998 it has stringently avoided creating a carnival atmosphere during the day’s observances. Therefore, it has never permitted street vendors to sell balloons, flags or other paraphernalia along the parade route.

The Memorial Day Committee often distributes small flags to children along the parade route because the display of flags and the delight of children are welcome responses. Anyone who has ever attended the Charlestown Memorial Day parade knows that the entire 2½-mile parade route is decorated with American flags as is both sides of the entrance going into Ninigret Park.

However, that is very different from profit-seeking peddlers trafficking up and down the parade route and distracting from the event. The Memorial Day Committee relies on private contributions and donations to fund these observances. It stands to reason that if it did not deem such activities disrespectful it would sell flags and balloons itself to raise money to fund its budget.

Furthermore, the Charlestown Town Council had no more authority to approve a street vendor’s license during the Memorial Day parade than it has to approve a vendor’s license to sell balloons at the annual Charlestown Seafood Festival. Both events are produced and paid for by private organizations, and their venues should not become the object of competitive town licenses while the private event is going on.

Ms. Allen and Ms. Waterman exhibited a profound disrespect toward our country’s fallen war heroes by their stubborn disregard of the values shared by our town’s veterans, who were there and spoke eloquently against the issuance of the license. They created a politically charged spectacle during the May 12 town council meeting; that was no accident. It was crystal clear to everyone there that their childish and petty comments were intended to provoke an argument with me to satisfy their personal political objectives. After losing the vote, Ms. Waterman’s final petulant demand that “only funeral dirges be played at the parade” is without a doubt the most insensitive and despicable action of her entire political tenure.

James M. Mageau

Chairman

Charlestown Memorial Day

Committee, Inc.

Charlestown

Mockery of oath

Who would be demonstrating the greatest disrespect to veterans at a Memorial Day parade? The 6-year-old with a flag, his 4-year-old sister with a balloon, or the elected official who makes a mockery of his oath 365 days a year?

Kate Waterman

Charlestown

The writer is a member of the Charlestown Town Council.