In the May 1 letters to the editor, Bob Larson (Republican candidate for DuPage County Board, 6th District) stated federal law and military regulations forbid the wearing of a military uniform by a former military service member at a political event when speaking and expressing political views.
To clear this up, it is forbidden for active duty, National Guard or Reservists to wear their military uniform at political events. I, on the other hand, am a veteran.
I did attend an event put on by moveon.org at the Kane County Veterans Memorial. This event was to show the latest polls taken in Kane County on Iraq and also to honor those who have lost their lives fighting for our country.
I was at this event wearing my blue whites (U.S. Marine Corps) veterans uniform, and I spoke about the needs and neglect of mandatory funding for our veterans health care system. I did not see Mr. Larson in the crowd of 12 veterans during or after my speech. I do remember shaking the hands of the other veterans who attended, and I do recall them thanking me for my speech.
The sad fact is I am the voice of the veterans who are active duty in uniform who cannot speak their mind. They convey to me their concerns and complaints but cannot voice them on there own because of federal law and military regulations.
I appreciate Mr. Larson’s concerns, and I assure you that since I am not active duty, National Guard or a Reservist like Mr. Larson, that I am allowed to wear my veteran uniform when speaking on the needs of our veterans and our troops. I thank him for his service and exercising one of the greatest gifts given to us in this country: freedom of speech and the right to talk about our differences in a civil and logical manner and not by fighting or going to war over it.
Remember, a car magnet stating “Support Our Troops” is a nice start, but they need much more than that. God bless America and those who serve her every day. Semper Fi (Always Faithful)
Dirk Enger, veteran, USMC
