Several years ago when the American Legion failed to obtain a permit in time for the Veterans Day parade the parade moved from Main St to Montezuma. I wrote the paper at that time hoping to get the parade moved back to Main St. Last year a small group of local vets approached the Legion hoping to persuade them to move to parade back to Main and were turned down. At that time we formed an organization with a parade committee and set our sights on 2015.
It's our belief that by having the parade on Main St (1) it lets all the schools South of Main attend without students having to cross an uncontrolled major highway (2) makes it possible for all Main St businesses and their customers to show their support for veterans (3) gives veterans and their families the respect they deserve.
This month after obtaining all the necessary permits, insurance, city approval and the school board allowing early dismissal on Veterans Day we contacted the Legion in hopes that they would take an active part in putting on the parade as they have in the past. Their response was to have their own separate parade creating a logistical nightmare for the city police department.
On Aug. 20 Chief Roy Lane called a meeting between the Legion, VFW, DAV, city manager and events coordinator, County service officer and our Vets group. at this meeting John Shriner of the Legion presented his response to our invitation , basically calling our group a bunch of subersive low lifes who were trying to divide the citizens of Montezuma County. At this point, being a little offended, I asked Legion commander Marv Hermanns "If I present the Legion with a petition with 2000 signatures would the legion reconsider?" and their response was a flat out "NO"
The outcome of the meeting was that Chief Lane has agreed to provide our organization and all who care to join us with a police escort from the cemetery down Main to the Greer Memorial and then join the Montezuma parade. I welcome any one to join us on Main and Montezuma to show how unified Montezuma County is in supporting it's Veterans.
Jim Cooper
Life Member VFW Post 5231 VVAW