Dear Editor,
As a passionate member of our community, I am writing to share my perspective on why the inclusion of the Confederate battle flag and others that are being banned/cancelled by this new KAVA group that is organizing our Kingman Veterans Day parade is an opportunity to foster unity and honor all veterans. Veterans Day is a time-honored occasion when we come together as a nation to express our gratitude and appreciation for the brave men and women who have selflessly served in our armed forces. It is a day to focus on our shared values of freedom, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a brighter future.
The KAVA group seems dead-set on ignoring this opportunity with the cancelling/banning of the Confederate Battle Flag and many others from this year’s parade. Why are they doing this? You won’t find their names and phone numbers on their website. They hide behind the cyber wall of secrecy.
They claim that “The rules on the website are explicit and in keeping with regulations issued by the Secretary, Department of Defense. These are the regulations in place at military celebrations, bases, and installations.”
What do regulations issued by the Secretary of Defense have to do with our local Veterans Day Parade. Last I checked, it is not a military parade requiring military regulations. They are using this excuser as subterfuge, as an excuse to ban/cancel not just the Confederate Battle Flag but any flag deemed ‘inappropriate for your eyes’ and has taken non-tolerance, lack of inclusion and diversity to another level of lies and deceit.
The Confederate Battle Flag is one of the most important flags in the history of America, representing a battle that cost 600,000 lives and still today, over 70 million Americans recognize and honor the families of the veterans of that war. Veterans Day celebrations aim to honor all veterans, regardless of their personal beliefs or the conflicts they fought in. The inclusion of the Confederate battle flag during these parades should be construed as an opportunity to acknowledge the historical context of our nation and the diverse experiences of those who served.
Moreover, Veterans Day parades should celebrate the diversity of our military history. Our nation has undergone significant transformations over the years, and it is crucial to recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by veterans from all walks of life. By embracing this diversity, we can strengthen the bonds that hold us together as a community, fostering an environment of inclusivity, empathy, and respect.
Inclusivity does not mean erasing history; rather, it means finding ways to acknowledge and learn from it. By embracing the Confederate battle flag as a part of our Veterans Day parades, we can demonstrate our commitment to understanding the past, honoring all veterans, and ultimately moving towards a more united future.
Let us remember that Veterans Day is a day to come together under the shared banner of gratitude and respect. By flying the Confederate battle flag in Veterans Day parades, we can promote dialogue, understanding, and a collective appreciation for the sacrifices made by all veterans.
This Kava Group states that “the attendance of uniformed active duty personnel is anticipated at our Kingman Veterans Day Parade”. They further state that “we will not risk their public association with any memorabilia that could jeopardize their commission or impune their character and explicitly violates current practices.”
How, one should ask, could the flying of a Confederate Battle Flag “jeopardize their commission or impune their character”? This is taking ridiculous and the lack of diversity and inclusion to another level of complete and total ignorance.
In closing, I ask the residents of Kingman and the readers of this newspaper; aren’t we done with all this cancel culture in our society, in Kingman, in Mohave Coounty? Aren’t we done with the hate, the intolerance, the lack of inclusion and diversity? The name calling, the racism and bigotry? Isn’t enough enough? Or has our Kingman community become so inured to the takeover of our culture and society that no one even cares anymore? So, I invite anyone to come to our shop anytime and discuss these matters with me or the Thunder-Rode staff. We will make available to you copies of all correspondence with KAVA and all the flags that they are banning from our 2023 Kingman Veterans Day Parade. We are confident you will walk away with a different perspective.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Let us continue working towards a community that celebrates unity, inclusivity, and the spirit of Veterans Day.
Jack Alexander
Thunder-Rode
