Veterans, Supporters Rally Against Gov't Shutdown
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota veterans also rallied Sunday morning in support of the march in D.C.
The protest on the National Mall in Washington D.C. was led by hundreds of veterans and demonstrators, against the shutdown.
The organizers say they wanted to pay respects to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and take a stand against the government after the shutdown forced the closing of the World War II Memorial and other memorials.
A group of Veterans and their supporters gathered at the Vietnam Memorial near the Minnesota Capitol earlier Sunday morning.
They said they wanted to support the national effort but also send a message to our nation's lawmakers that they don't like what's happening.
The veterans say they're disappointed by how veterans have been treated during the government shutdown.
They talked about the closing of the memorials and the suspension of death benefits to military families.
Veteran Charles Patterson said this really upset him -- and in part is why he helped organize the local rally.
"It makes me very sad," he said. "I'm ashamed of what's happening. To see the families subjected to the treatment they've gotten, I'm ashamed, and I speak for a lot of others here who feel the same way."
The President, with the support of Congress did sign a bill into law late this week that reinstated death benefits for military families during the shutdown.
One more note on the closing of the memorials, there is a grassroots effort to push for a bill that would prevent the government from closing memorials to any American other than for maintenance.
