CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – The timing of today’s commentary is not by accident. Memorial Day is just under three weeks away. And I’m hoping someone will do something.
There will be no Memorial Day parade in Milwaukee this year. The event was canceled for the past two years because of COVID. And this year, which would have been the city’s 155th parade, isn’t happening. Why? Lack of interest. The parade committee president Karen Armstrong told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Support and enthusiasm have diminished.” She went on to say that a small group of volunteers has run the parade for the past 30 years and now “we have exhausted all the options available to keep it running.”
A half-million people live in Milwaukee. And there is no support or enthusiasm to honor our nation’s war dead? Are you kidding me? That’s a disgrace. It’s an affront to anyone with even the tiniest bit of patriotism within them. It’s wrong.
Here’s what I hope will happen: Communities in Central Wisconsin who DO observe Memorial Day should invite Milwaukee’s veterans to come here. I hope someone will charter a bus; the American Legion, the VFW, a boy scout or girl scout group, anyone. Let the Milwaukee vets march in one of our parades. Give them a place of honor at the flag raisings and the moments of silence at our war memorials.
The few World War II veterans who remain are in their late 90s. They likely would have lied about their age to enlist. Korean War Veterans are in their waning years. Vietnam veterans are now senior citizens. And in the twilight of their lives, we lack the support and enthusiasm to honor those who died alongside them in battle?
If we no longer have the will to honor those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, fewer people will be willing to. And where will we be then?
-Chris Conley.
Comments