Homstead. FL. Parade Cancelled Over Flag Row

[Blockade Runner]

Sadly, it has come to my attention that the forces of the "politically correct" have led to the cancellation of the Homestead Veteran's Day Parade, scheduled for November 11 in Florida. It seems that some groups withdrew from the parade based on the decision to permit the Confederate Battle Flag to be carried during the event. Gregory E. Kalof, an SCV Commander in Miami-Dade County asserted, "We're really disappointed. I'm a Vietnam veteran and I remember when we came home, we were spit upon, and this is no different".

It's painfully ironic that the decision to cancel the parade occured in a Confederate state. I recall this past Memorial Day marching down Consitution Avenue in Washington D.C. carrying a Confederate flag and living Jubal Early's dream.

It's certainly a shame that the Homestead parade couldn't have gone on without the disgruntled malcontents.

[Rented_Mule]

Good for them. Veteran's Day is not to celebrate veterans of foriegn nations who tried to disolve our Union for the purpose of perpetuating chattel slavery.

I believe the state of Florida has its own officially recognized Confederate Veterans Day. Bring your flag to that and with the proper permits you can parade accordingly.

Or are you insistent on forcing your beliefs on others and against the will of the community ?

[FloridaHoosier]

For full disclosure, here is the rest of the quote from the SCV commander, as printed in the South Florida Times: "We’re really disappointed. That parade was for the veterans. I’m a Vietnam veteran and I remember when we came home, we were spit upon, and this is no different,” Kalof said. “I hope the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) or another organization will do something. I intend to talk to them about it. The NAACP is the cause of this, and I’m disappointed in them, too.” As some folks on here can attest, I've not been a fan of the SCV at times, but I'm even less of a fan of the NAACP throwing around boycott talks, and such seems to be the case here. At this juncture, the NAACP seems insistant on forcing their beliefs on others and against the will of the community. Since this is my home state, nothing surprises me when it comes to the display of CS flags, battle flag or others, but I'll agree with Blockade Runner on this one - it is disappointing , but at least it isn't because the event organizers banned the flag (they voted to allow it). Lets keep the discussions on this relevant and civil.....

[FloridaHoosier]

A small point, but relevant none the less, the US government recognizes Confederate veterans as military veterans (VA-furnished burial markers, etc), and as such are entitled to celebration by those wishing to at Veteran's Day, although perhaps more properly done on Memorial Day since their are no surviving CS vets...

[Rented_Mule]

For full disclosure, here is the rest of the quote from the SCV commander, as printed in the South Florida Times: "We’re really disappointed. That parade was for the veterans. I’m a Vietnam veteran and I remember when we came home, we were spit upon, and this is no different,” Kalof said. “I hope the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) or another organization will do something. I intend to talk to them about it.
At this juncture, the NAACP seems insistant on forcing their beliefs on others and against the will of the community. Since this is my home state, nothing surprises me when it comes to the display of CS flags, battle flag or others, but I'll agree with Blockade Runner on this one - it is disappointing , but at least it isn't because the event organizers banned the flag (they voted to allow it). Lets keep the discussions on this relevant and civil.....

I dont think for a second the honorable Robert E. Lee would propmote, advocate or particpate in such a parade unit on the day intended to honor the United States fighting man. There are no other foreign nations included ever. Again most Southern states have their own recognized "CSA Memorial Day" so the fact that it is an issue seems pretty clear to be more of an in your face move by the SCV (wow who would think?) and the NACCP would be right to stand firm against the in your face display of something they find very offensive. It is further evidenced to anyone who will apply just a little good faith common sense to see how SCV Commander Kalof places more value on putting the CS flag in position of honor over his own service, the death of 58,000 + American soliders and the many families and other surviving vets today and that is on top of his self-admitted personal mistreatment and that of his comrades upon his return from Vietnam.

Why not focus on that healing and honoring on Veterans Day and do CS on the proper Florida statutorially protected CSA Day and in the proper venue ?

Because it is purely conflagatory. That is why.

I ask BLockade Runner does he particpate in SCV parades and does unit even carry a US flag ? The majority will not.

[8th TexCav]

Dean,
I cannot speak for Blockade Runner or the Florida SCV but I can let you know that here in Texas we do carry the United States flag at every parade. I am a member of the Texas Mounted Color Guard. We carry all of the flags that Texans have fought under from the Texas Revolution to the current wars. For Memorial and Veterans Days, we also carry the flags that go back to the American Revolution. The US flag always leads our unit of mounted troopers and we are proud of that!

[Blockade Runner]

I dont think for a second the honorable Robert E. Lee would propmote, advocate or particpate in such a parade unit on the day intended to honor the United States fighting man. There are no other foreign nations included ever. Again most Southern states have their own recognized "CSA Memorial Day" so the fact that it is an issue seems pretty clear to be more of an in your face move by the SCV (wow who would think?) and the NACCP would be right to stand firm against the in your face display of something they find very offensive. It is further evidenced to anyone who will apply just a little good faith common sense to see how SCV Commander Kalof places more value on putting the CS flag in position of honor over his own service, the death of 58,000 + American soliders and the many families and other surviving vets today and that is on top of his self-admitted personal mistreatment and that of his comrades upon his return from Vietnam.

Why not focus on that healing and honoring on Veterans Day and do CS on the proper Florida statutorially protected CSA Day and in the proper venue ?

Because it is purely conflagatory. That is why.

I ask BLockade Runner does he particpate in SCV parades and does unit even carry a US flag ? The majority will not.

Yes, Rented Mule our Color Guard does carry a 50 star U.S. Flag, (not WBTS era).

I would remind you, Rented Mule, that in the 1950's Congress passed legislation establishing no distinction between Confederate Veterans and other U.S.veterans. Among other things that legislation permitted Confederate veterans to obtain grave markers at no cost from the Veterans Administration.

Consequently, in Veterans Day celebrations there should be no distinction between Confederate Veterans and U.S. veterans from any war. As I previously indicated, our Color Guard proudly marched down Constitution Ave. on Memorial Day, and we look forward to participating in the DC National Memorial Day parade again next year.

[sbl]

".....I’m a Vietnam veteran and I remember when we came home, we were spit upon, and this is no different,” .....

That's more of a urban legend that started just after the first Rambo movie.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/modules...ticle&sid=8376


http://books.google.com/books?id=IJr...0Blood&f=false

[FloridaHoosier]

That's more of a urban legend that started just after the first Rambo movie.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/modules...ticle&sid=8376


http://books.google.com/books?id=IJr...0Blood&f=false

For clarity, the above quote from post #8 was not mine, but one from another quotation - I'm by no means a Viet Nam era vet, nor have I been spit on as such....

[mnreb]

We were asked to march in a small parade in Mn. by the VFW. We carried 38 star Union Flag and the 1st National. Nothing was said and we were thanked many times over for marching. We have also carried the battle flag with the same results. Guess it depends on where you live and the mental state of mind of those that live there.
Bill Feuchtenberger
Co.H
1st South Carolina Volunteers (Gregg's Brigade)