I was at the Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen on Veteran’s Day and found out that the ceremony was cancelled. There was a posting on the administration building that the State Veterans Advisory Committee cancelled it. The committee told me that the Adjutant General’s Department had cancelled the ceremony. I called and spoke to the Deputy Adjutant General and he said that the committee with the department decided together to cancel the ceremony and would not have any future ceremonies at the Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. I was told that they decided that the Veteran’s Cemetery was not an appropriate place to have the ceremony.
If so, why was a ceremony conducted at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with President Biden in attendance? I have been attending the ceremony for about twenty years and once a few years ago in the rain. Why would this be cancelled after all these years and it being referred to as tradition? Would it have anything to do with politics or money? Would our senators and representatives have better things to do, so they would not be able to attend? Maybe veteran’s issues are low on the priority list. It should not be money, since the federal government spends money like there is no tomorrow.
I was so saddened and heartbroken to see a WWII veteran walking up to me with a cane, asking about the ceremony. I reluctantly told him that it was cancelled. Maybe if enough veterans would voice their opinion on this matter, it will come back. I hope so.
John Conway
Chichester