To the editor:
I’m writing to address Nicholas Handy’s article “Concerns raised over Memorial Day speakers.” The organizer for the Memorial Day event is quoted as saying that he is only carrying out the wishes of the Rindge Veterans Association and the Board of Selectmen.
The RVA represents only a small fraction of all the veterans in town. Veterans of many diverse religious backgrounds (and none at all) were offended by last year’s speech in which atheists were described as “bitter herbs.” Only a few years ago we dedicated a marker for Captain Ella Gibson, who served as a chaplain during the Civil War and became an avowed atheist when she returned to Rindge at war’s end.
I applaud Ms. Weidner for having the courage to speak up in defense of others and would have joined her but for a meeting conflict that evening. Surely we can celebrate our various faiths without demeaning or attacking the beliefs of others? I don’t recall that there was any “religious qualification” when I joined the Air Force or when my friends were drafted. I believe that when we speak of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we should be as inclusive as possible. To honor their memory, we should defend what they fought for in our daily and community lives. Ms. Weidner is my hero for living up to the highest standards of the Constitution and the principles of liberty.
I should also point out that the RVA risks its 501 C3 status if it is associated with discrimination. And, of course, if the Board of Selectmen were to support such speech, we would be opening our town up to lawsuits. I think we should be very grateful that Ms. Weidner and the veterans who were disturbed by last year’s speech chose only to ask for consideration.
Patricia Martin
Rindge