A group of about two dozen veterans went to the Wichita city council meeting Tuesday to voice strong opposition to a Vietnamese community memorial at a downtown veterans park.
American Legion and VFW member John Wilson asked the council to adopt a set of rules and regulations to govern the park. He says the John S. Stevens Veterans Memorial Park was dedicated to American veterans. He urged the council to establish a commission with members of local veterans organizations to advise the city on issues relating to the veterans park.
Linda Kirby, a spokesperson for the veterans group, read a statement expressing "moral outrage" at the proposal from the Vietnamese community, and saying that the park should be dedicated to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. She also said members of the Vietnamese community who have become American citizens have violated their oath of citizenship by carrying the South Vietnamese flag and wearing the South Vietnamese military uniforms at parades and other events. Vice mayor Jim Skelton said he is a veteran who has served overseas, and he told Kirby that he disagreed with some of her comments.
The proposal for the Vietnamese community memorial drew mixed reactions during a city council meeting in June. The council is expected to consider the issue again next week.
George Lawson
Posted: July 14, 2009 11:35