March 29, 2024
Letter

Insulting the Legion

On Sept. 29 my wife and I were invited to go to Bangor International Airport by another troop greeter and participate in welcoming the troops who were on their way overseas. We found it very rewarding.

Unable to stand for long periods of time, because a disability (stroke), we sat down in a row of chairs, facing the runway, to rest. Anyone familiar with the seating in the airport lounge, knows some seats are double rows, back to back.

Two individuals came over and sat down behind us and started talking trash about the American Legion, VFW, DAV and any service organization except the troop greeters. I’m not sure if they mentioned the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

One of them even had the gall to say he was a Legion member. Maybe he is, but he certainly isn’t a Legionnaire.

I am very active in the Legion, and proud of it. As I was wearing a Legion T-shirt, Legion baseball cap and wore a Legion jacket, I can only assume their remarks were directed at me.

We were very upset by this incident. However, we returned Saturday morning to greet a planeload of troops returning from Iraq, for one reason: to support our troops.

These two men owe me and my wife no apology. But they do owe an apology to the millions of other veterans in these and other great patriotic organizations.

Barry Knowles

Hermon


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