Veterans group holding recognition ceremony tomorrow, organization meeting Wednesday

June 27, 10:15 AMWichita Independent ExaminerGeoff Caldwell

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Photo credit John Wilson, KSVAC.info

As reported previously  in this column, the Kansas Veterans Action Committee is holding a Veterans Recognition Ceremony tomorrow at 10:00am in Wichita's Veterans Memorial Park, 339 N. Greenway Blvd.

Staging for a motorcycle/car ride to the event begins at Lawrence Dumont Stadium at 8:30am.  

There will be recognition for all our veterans followed by information and discussion concerning the Wichita City Council's proposal to place a South Vietnamese Memorial in the park.

An organizational meeting for all veterans organizations is planned for 7:00pm, Wednesday July 1st at the American Legion Post #4, 816 N. Water, Wichita.  (Water and Murdock)

In a prepared "Notice to Veterans" it is pointed out that:

Not a single federally sanctioned veteran’s organization was consulted or even notified regarding the proposed South Vietnamese Soldier’s monument that the City is proposing to place in Veterans Memorial Park. Neither the City nor the Vietnamese community has asked the official representatives nor the rank and file of veterans or active duty service men and women for their input.

The meeting is being held to discuss reserving Veterans Park for memorials only to those who have actually served in the United States Armed Forces and to do what Janet Miller and Jim Skelton would not do;  Seek input from actual veterans.

For more information regarding tomorrow's recognition ceremony, the Wednesday night meeting, and full text of the groups "Notice to all Veterans", please visit their website KSVAC.info

While people may disagree with the placement of the proposed memorial, no one can disagree that Janet Miller and Jim Skelton's "ram it through" attitude regarding this matter has been not just disrespectful to our veterans but outright childish at times.  Council members are elected to serve the entire city of Wichita, not just to pander to their own special interests.