Military Equipment

Belongs In The Parade

To The Editor:

I would like the people of Newtown to know that at the beginning of the Labor Day Parade, we who had military vehicles were told by parade officials that we were not welcome or wanted by them or Newtowners because last year people were afraid! And we were told to leave.

That’s amusing because I’ve lived in town for my entire life (46 years) and not one person I know has a problem with these trucks. And I know a lot of people — from whom are these complaints coming? I’ll tell you they are the very few spineless whiners that figure if they complain enough we will leave.

The VFW in town has invited us every year to be with them and take any overflow veterans that can’t march or fit on the VFW float.

These vehicles — about 12 this year, eight of them from town — are owned by military vehicle enthusiasts who above all have the trucks to honor veterans past and present.

These vehicles are the tools that soldiers have used in combat and are themselves veterans. A World War II veteran who fought on Iwo Jima was in the first Jeep that you saw in the parade, which he owns. Eight of the vehicles were owned by veterans.

The guns on all vehicles are demilled fake reproductions so no one should have any problems with that.

Also none of the vehicles had any political signs — unlike some others in the parade — all you saw was “Support Our Troup” signs.

In closing, I would suggest that certain parade officials not speak for the entire town. Also that the terrified people put a bag over their head next year when the vehicles go by them.

We have a right to be in the parade so don’t forget the soldiers or tools of war that did the fighting for you and your freedom!

Freedom Fighter,

Rich Blomberg

32 Brushy Hill Road, Newtown                    September 11, 2006