The Civil war put American against American. Both sides had ancestors fighting and dying for what they believed in this nation divided. Since there are no living Civil War veterans, perhaps the parade to have Confederate descendants in is Memorial Day instead of Veterans Day. After all, this is the one day out of the year that is just for our nation's veterans, in other words, living veterans of a united nation, all serving together, no matter what their ancestors believed in or side they took. Veterans come from all over the nation, every city and town as Americans and this day, this one day, should honor that to honor them.
Amid Confederate flag flap, veterans aim to save Homestead Veterans Day Parade
By TANIA VALDEMORO
tvaldemoro@MiamiHerald.com
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 121 has marched in the annual Veterans Day Parade in Homestead for at least a dozen years.
They hope to march this November, too, and that parade organizers can find a solution to resolve the controversy that erupted over a group of Confederate descendants marching with a battle flag for the first time in 2008.
''We don't want the parade to be canceled,'' said Dennis Magno, a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 121.
Since the Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce leaders voted unanimously to disband the parade after the controversy erupted, veterans and residents have been calling the chamber to oppose canceling the parade, said Jerome Williams, the chamber president.
On Thursday morning, officials from the chamber's military affairs committee unanimously voted to defer making any decisions on continuing or disbanding the popular 47-year-old event.
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Veterans aim to save Homestead Veterans Day Parade
