Letter To The Editor: Little League Games Overshadow Veterans Paying Homage At Memorial Day Ceremony

This letter was submitted to Patch by Bridgewater resident Debbie Ericksen.

Dear Mayor Hayes, Mr. Moench, and Ms. Schneider,    

Every year I attend the VFW Memorial Day Ceremony at Chimney Rock Park.  I believe it is important to stop our busy schedules in order to say thank you to those men and women who have sacrificed so much for my (our) freedom. 

Last year, the veterans were told that they would need to cut their ceremony short because the baseball teams had to make up rained out games and they needed the parking lot. This year, when I arrived at 10:40, the parking lot was already quite full and games were in progress. 

Throughout the ceremony, I had to strain to listen above the parents and kids cheering their teams on. What an insult to the veterans we were trying to pay homage to who purchased our freedom. Without them, the children on the field would not be able to play baseball and their parents certainly wouldn't be able to sit and cheer for them. 

I kept hoping that parents and coaches would stop the games and bring their children up to the ceremony. It would have been incredibly meaningful to the veterans. Additionally, it certainly would have provided children with the opportunity to step out of their often self absorbed world and to say "thank you". And how sad that it did not even occur to the adults attending the games to lead by example.    

I would like you to address this so that it can be different for next year.  Please do not schedule sports events (or anything else) at the park until after the Memorial Day ceremony is complete and everyone has left.  Out of respect for our veterans and active service men and women, please do the right thing and schedule recreational activities differently next year. 

I look forward to hearing from you to resolve this matter. 

Thank you to our veterans. Without their sacrifices, I would not even be able to write this letter.

Regards,
Debbie Ericksen