Bend Weekly Community Forums

[Dick Tobiason]

Earlier I sent an email on proposed State legislation prohibiting demonstrations at military funerals in Oregon. I drafted the proposal for Rep. Gene Whisnant who has started the process to enact an Oregon law. Less than half of the 50 states have enacted this legislation. I hope veterans groups will eventually support this important legislation.

The only federal law prohibiting demonstrations at military funerals was aimed at national (federal) cemeteries nationwide.

On Dec. 7th (65th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor), the U.S. Senate passed Sen. Kent Conrad's (North Dakota) amendment to prohibit demonstrations at "funerals of all deceased members of the Armed Forces, not only at national cemeteries, but also at private cemeteries, funeral homes and houses of worship" across the nation. See: http://www.senate.gov/~conrad/releases/06/12/2006C07B55.html

Sen. Conrad has also introduced a Senate resolution honoring "Patriot Guard Riders", a national motorcycle organization protecting families and friends of fallen servicemen from harassment at funerals. See: www.patriotguard.org/

PGR will be escorting the Worcester Wreath Company transport of 5000 wreaths from Maine to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery on Dec. 14. That program has expanded nationwide and known as "Wreaths Across America".

"Wreaths Across America" can be viewed at http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Anyone want to join Mary Jane and me placing wreath/s at Central Oregon Veterans Memorial at noon on Dec. 14? Anyone know of any veteran groups planning to place wreaths at local cemeteries?

Dick