On Sunday, May 25, as President of the United Veterans and Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth, I had the honor of leading off Maspeth’s Memorial Day Parade.
Prior to the parade’s kick-off, I spent several frustrating minutes asking the
supporters of various candidates to remove themselves and the signs and literature that they were holding during the parade’s assembly.
I was extremely angered that these candidates would choose this venerable venue to do their politicking. As the parade began I observed these same supporters walking and running adjacent (on the sidewalk) to their particular candidates handing out pamphlets to the assembled crowd along the parade route.
At the midway point, I could no longer bring myself to march with these candidates so I removed myself and reunited with the members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Queens Chapter #32 of which I am also the President.
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Memorial Day is not a day for politicians
to hand-out their campaign literature to crowds participating in the day’s solemn
ceremonies.
I was angered that Charles Ober and Elizabeth Crowley blatantly
disrespected the memory of our nation’s war heroes by using Memorial Day for their political gain and expediency. I feel it my duty to remind Mr. Ober and Ms. Crowley that it is our soldiers that afford them the opportunity to run for elected office.
More importantly, they should exhibit some reverence and respect and stop
politicking for one day to pay homage to those men and women who have died to preserve our democracy. I believe that candidates Charles Ober and Elizabeth Crowley owe all veterans and their families an apology for their blatant
disregard for the solemn ceremonies many of us hold sacred to honor our country’s fallen heroes.
Here is a poem that I have recited in many of my speeches:
IT IS THE SOLDIER
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Pat Toro Jr. is President of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter # 32
