Veterans pass resolution vs. protests at funerals

By Larry Romo (photo)
Texas DemVets Chairman

The DNC Veterans & Military Families Council Leadership Summit brought members from across the country and Democrats Abroad together,August 26th at the DNC Headquarters in Washington DC to salute our Fighting Dems, prepare for the November elections, and speak out on behalf of military families whose loved ones' funerals are being harassed by certain hate groups.

We started out days after the November 2004 elections, disheartened by the election loss, the swift boating of our candidates, and the loss in potential for our country. However, we were hopeful that the spark lit by the Veterans for Kerry, Gold Star Families against the war, and other military family members could be maintained, and dedicated ourselves to keeping the flame burning through creation of the DNC Veterans and Military Families Council.

Now, nearly 22 months later, over 40 Fighting Dems - veterans running for Congress as Democrats - have made it through the Congressional primaries and are headed into November with a strong security message. Links to their websites may be found by visiting the DNC website at: www.democrats.org/page/content/fightingdems/index/.

The Iraqi veterans on the DNC Veterans and Military Families Council brought up the casualties in the Iraq War -- to date over 2,600 servicemembers who have died. Many expressed concern that certain right-wing hate groups have been protesting at those military funerals. As a result, we drafted and released the resolution below.

Resolution of the DNC Veteran and Military Families Council Leadership Summit: Let America’s Fallen Heroes Rest in Peace
(passed unanimously August 26th)

“We United States Veterans and Military Family members express our gratitude and sympathy to the families and loved ones of the thousands of servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to America, and believe that those heroes be laid to rest in an atmosphere if the highest respect and reverence.

"We deplore the cruel and inappropriate protests at military funerals, and, as a measure of common sense and common decency, support a reasonable 'setback' from military funeral sites.

"We call upon politicians and political organizations who get money and resources from these groups to stop desecrating our military heroes, return the money and decline the support of groups who do so, and work to stop the harassment of veterans and military families.

"Veterans have fought for our country, now we must fight for them. Let America ’s fallen heroes rest in peace.”