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IOWA STATE VFW SAYS MEMBER'S BILL CLINTON COMMENT

"WAY OUT OF LINE" -- "It is totally inappropriate for a veteran to

make that kind of a nasty remark about a former Commander-in-

Chief of the United States Armed Forces. He wasn't speaking

for the VFW. He wasn't even speaking for his post."

 

 

This story started with a VFW post sitting out a Fourth of July parade because they weren't allowed to fire blanks from their weapons for "security" reasons.  It seems, Bill and Hillary Clinton were marching in the parade.  That story here...
http://vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/
nfJUL07/nf070607-6.htm

Now, it appears, personal politics got thrown into the mix.

Story here... http://www.globegazette.com/
articles/2007/07/06/latest_news/do
c468d4555118ab234029798.txt

Story below:

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Kantaris comments "way out of line," says state VFW

By JOHN SKIPPER
john.skipper@globegazette.com

 

MASON CITY — The state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars said Thursday a Mason City VFW member was “way out of line” in publicly criticizing former president Bill Clinton.

Jim Kantaris, quartermaster of Mason City VFW Post 733, said Tuesday the Mason City post would not be marching in the Clear Lake parade because the Secret Service would not allow the firing of rifles.

Kantaris said the firearm restriction was because of the presence of Clinton, whom he called a “draft dodger who turned the White House into a whorehouse.”

On Thursday, Kantaris apologized and said he was speaking as a private citizen about Clinton.

But State Commander Don Roepke of Brandon said, “It is totally inappropriate for a veteran to make that kind of a nasty remark about a former commander in chief of the United States Armed Forces.

“He wasn’t speaking for the VFW. He wasn’t even speaking for his post.

“And even speaking just for himself, a veteran should not talk that way. We are not political.”

Two Mason City VFW members with state and national ties also expressed strong disapproval.

Don Gilbert, past chief of staff for the national VFW who is active with the state organization, said many veterans are angered by Kantaris’ remarks.

“He took it upon himself, using his petty personal opinions, to drag us all in,” said Gilbert. “I have been getting many calls about this and everyone is furious. This man does not speak for the VFW.”

Chuck Harris, a past commander of Post 733 and a member of the honor guard, said he didn’t agree with the decision not to participate. He and other members are embarrassed by the Kantaris comments, said Harris.

“These remarks do not represent the majority of the members who have served this country,” he said.

“Personally, my family and grandchildren enjoy attending these events and seeing dad, grandpa and great grandpa march with our organization.

“As a past commander of the VFW, I can only hope that the Clear Lake Chamber realizes our organization continues to support your event. For myself and others, we did vote to march.”

In a letter to the editor to be published on Friday's Opinion Page, Kantaris apologized if his comments reflected badly on the VFW. He said he was speaking as quartermaster of the VFW only with regard to withdrawal from the parade.

“The comments I made concerning the Clintons were mine and mine alone and in NO way reflect the opinion of our members,” he said.

“I made those statements as a private citizen of this great country and apologize to any member of the VFW that may have felt I was speaking on their behalf,” he said.

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Larry Scott  --