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Peace group denied entry in Veteran's Day parade

N.C. Triangle Veterans for Peace wanted to join the parade but were denied because organizers felt their message was political.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — A veterans group said it denied from walking in Saturday’s North Carolina Veterans Parade because organizers felt their message was political.

“We wanted to represent veterans, and veterans come in all styles, all shapes and beliefs,” said Wally Myers, organizer of the N.C. Triangle Veterans for Peace.

Parade Chairman Bill Dixon said the group was welcome to participate in the parade without their banners and logos.

“This is not the venue to protest anything. It’s strictly to honor veterans,” Dixon said.

Dixon, who is also the presidenet of the Wake County Council of Veteran's Organizations, said they try to keep politics out of the event. Politicians who are veterans can only participate in the parade if their political signs are left home.

“If I open it up to them then I’ve got to start adding organizations who have a counterview. That’s not we’re about,” Dixon said.

Navy veteran Ray Tutterow, of Orange County said the group’s presence would have upset some people.

“I’m sure if they had been here there would’ve been people that would be upset and it could’ve caused a scene,” Tutterow said.

Myers, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam era, said N.C. Veterans for Peace has about 25 members in the Triangle and 75 statewide.

"We are interested in building peace. It's not so much we're against war; we've gone way beyond that," Myers said. "We really feel like war is obsolete. Peace is about an attitude and behavior."

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