Burlington, Vermont Police Chief Has Perfect Response To Protests On Veterans Day.

Burlington, Vermont Police Chief Brandon del Pozo
got veterans and democracy exactly right in
a statement about anti-Trump protests on Veterans Day.  

I'm going to let Burlington, Vermont Police Chief Brandon del Pozo be my unwitting guest blogger today.

Like many cities across the nation, people in Burlington are holding an anti-Trump rally.  

The march against Trump in Burlington is scheduled for today, Veteran's Day. Some people objected to the demonstration being held on Veterans Day.

Here's how del Pozo responded to that objection today on Facebook:

"There's a rally scheduled today at City Hall Park to rebuke what so many feel is the hateful and racist rhetoric of the United States president-elect.

Some people are upset that it's happening on Veteran's Day, a time reserved for somber reflection on the service and sacrifice of so many everyday Americans. 

But I think it's the perfect day for a protest rally. How do you better honor people's legacy than by using something great they've given you?

Protest on Veteran's Day, Americans, if you desire! It's our right, and it was secured by the men and women who are our veterans. It seems like a more profound way to honor them than simply laying a wreath."

By the way, responding to critics on Facebook, del Pozo assured everyone he'd have the same attitude had Clinton won and right wing protesters took to the streets. He also said he has no tolerance for violence. He just wants to encourage peaceful democracy.

Good work, Chief!!!

Veteran Worried Nobody Would Show Up At His Funeral. He Needn't Have

People made sure to remember Roscoe Cassidy, Kentucky's
oldest World War II veteran, who died
last month at the age of 107. On this Veterans Day
thanks and gratitude go out to all veterans.  

I figured Veterans Day, today, is as appropriate a day to post this as any.

Last month, Kentucky's oldest World War II veteran died. Roscoe Cassidy, 107, had said he basically outlived everyone, so he didn't expect anybody to be at his funeral.

Turns out Cassidy was wrong, big time.

The Kentucky chapter of a group called the Patriot Guard Riders and people on the web site Reddit who saw Cassidy's story turned out for the funeral.

Several dozen people were there to remember Cassidy, says television station WKYT. 

As divided and nasty as this country can be sometimes, it's always nice to see people unite to remember our veterans.

Cassidy's son, Mike, said his father "loved his shot of Moonshine every day and he said that was his secret to life."

Friends said Cassidy's sense of humor, dancing and standing up for a cause, especially his country, contributed to his long life.

We salute you, Roscoe Cassidy, and all veterans, living or passed on.

Special thanks and gratitude to my dad, Henry Sutkoski, now 94 and a World War II veteran, and my father in law, Don Modereger, another World War II veteran, who passed away in August at the age of 92.