PICA wasn’t out of place in parade

It saddened me to read your report about Bangor’s July 4 parade on the front page of your July 7-8 edition. As a proud member of Peace in Central America and a contributor to the plans for our appearance in the parade, I know we made a sincere and concerted effort to conform with the theme of the parade. We thought quotes from our founding fathers and our present president would conform with that theme. How astonishing it is that (parade chairman) Gary Leighton should be made to feel uncomfortable by the words of Jefferson, such as:

“The flames, kindled the 4th of July 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism.”

And by Bush’s very recent slogan:

“Trade, not aid.”

If you’ve quoted him correctly, Leighton also appears to be misinformed. PICA did not march in last year’s parade.

I considers myself an American who cares very much about my country and its behavior. This is why I am happy and proud to be part of such a fine group as PICA with its dedicated, caring members. We are appalled that our country’s billions of tax dollars are slaughtering innocent children, women and priests in El Salvador. We hope to stop that. Constance Kirby Bangor