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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Friday, May 16, 2008 Bremerton bars peace group from Armed Forces Day By Ed Friedrich Scripps Howard News Service BREMERTON -- A veterans' peace group has been excluded from Saturday's Armed Forces Day parade here, but vows to march anyway. Parade sponsor Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce turned down an application from the North Olympic chapter of Vets for Peace, claiming the entry's message contradicts the mandate of the armed forces and advances a political, religious or social issue, according to a rejection notice that the group received Sunday. Vets for Peace participated in last year's parade without incident. "There was absolutely nothing that happened last year, complaints or people shouting, nothing like that," said Jo Walter of Bremerton, who walked with the group carrying a "Kitsap For Peace" sign. "There was just a lot of waving and smiling, 'You go girl,' and that kind of stuff." Cris Larsen, Armed Forces Festival chairman, said the entry doesn't meet parade parameters. The chamber's armed forces committee, of which Larsen is chairman, made the decision. He said it wasn't the only entry denied, giving the example that politicians aren't allowed to tout their election candidacy or political party either. "I think it's silly for this to become an issue and for them to hijack an honorable day," he said. The parade is meant to honor all who are serving or have served in the armed forces, Larsen said. It's not a political outlet. "To try to hijack Armed Forces Day for a political statement, shame on them," he said. He suggested that Vets for Peace take their cause to Olympia or Washington, D.C. David Jenkins, a Navy veteran and Vets for Peace chapter president, doesn't think the reasons for denying the entry make sense. When he was in the Navy, he believed the function of the armed forces was to keep the peace or find a way to peace. Today, his group's goal is to stop the war, save lives and solve problems in the Middle East without violence. About a dozen supporters walked last year. Jenkins and Walter said they are encouraging members and supporters to meet Saturday and follow the parade. "People are outraged and do want to be present there Saturday," Jenkins said. "The question for a lot of us is if this is an armed forces parade honoring those who served or serve, how could it deny veterans a place? It makes no sense to me."

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