Editor, Rappahannock Times:
Earlier this year, the longtime planners of veteran related events in Tappahannock expressed an interest in stepping aside. As a result, a meeting was held to discuss the continuation of the three events held annually, i.e. Memorial Day, POW/ MIA Day and Veterans Day, events normally held at the Courthouse Green. Represented was the Board of Supervisors, The Woman’s Club, the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and long-time supporters from within the community. At that meeting, the group was assured that the County would be supportive of future veteran observances.
As planning for Veterans Day proceeded, it was increasingly apparent that November 11 was going to be a bitter cold day. On November 5th, a request was made to allow the ceremony to be moved inside the Old Beale Church. On November 7th, it was determined that the County had refused the request, due to a scheduled allday event, later in the week and that there would be staging being done at that time.
These ceremonies are normally attended by elderly, some in wheelchairs, and there was a contingent of high school ROTC cadets on the program as well. But the no more than two hours the ceremony would encompass would interfere with the County’s planning! The only conclusion one can reach is that first opportunity the County had to support veterans was refused. It’s unclear who made the decision, but clearly that individual has little regard for those who served in uniform. Veterans deserve better.
I.C. Smith-
Commander
Franklin Durham-Essex
Post 64
The American Legion.
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