Anti-War Activists, Veterans Call For Less Focus On Military For Veterans Day
(CBS) -- Some 50 veterans and anti-war activists joined to honor the military in their own way, calling for more help for veterans and less focus on the military, reports WBBM's John Cody.
Protest music washed over Iraq veterans in current camouflage, Vietnam veterans in protest t shirts and former communications specialist Crystal Colon bemoaned the switch from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
"There is no longer a day to reflect on or promote peace, it has devolved into a hyper-nationalistic worship ceremony for war and those who wage it," Colon said.
Colon argued the veterans are actually lost in the shuffle.
"As a federally-commissioned day-off from work that is to be spent taking advantage of mattress sales and clothing discounts waving American flags and yellow ribbons," she said.
Colon handed out red flowers for floating down the river as veterans from Vietnam, Iraq, and wars in between ambled away for another protest rally in the chill wind blowing through the Vietnam Memorial on Wacker and Wabash.