MARK DUKE DESECRATES MEMORIAL SERVICE HONORING OUR VETERANS
5-27-08
This website had intended never to mention the name Mark Duke again, but what Duke did during the Memorial Service Monday was an unconscionable desecration of the memorial service. Each year on Memorial Day, veterans and those who honor them and their service to our country gather in front of Memorial Stadium to remember those who gave their lives for the country- so that people like Duke can do whatever it is he is doing in Selma.
This past Monday, more than 150 people had gathered to honor our veterans by listening to speakers and placing wreaths on the monuments in front of the stadium. Unfortunately, the entire service was disrupted by Mark Duke and his Freedom Foundation members having a loud party on the soccer field just past Block Park. DUKE HAD A BULLHORN, INTO WHICH HE CONSTANTLY WAS YELLING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CHILDREN ENGAGED IN SILLY GAMES. Duke with his bullhorn could be heard all over West Selma and heard clearly at Memorial Stadium, which was very disrespectful to veterans and their families and certainly disrespectful to deceased veterans who were being honored. What Mark Duke and his Freedom Foundation followers did in disrupting the Memorial Day Service is a disgrace. HE SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO EVERY PERSON AND EVERY VETERAN IN THE CITY AND COUNTY.
Duke says he wants to bring hope and unity to the community. IF SO, WHY SCHEDULE A GAME DAY at the very same time our veterans are being honored and remembered and why talk so loud on a bullhorn that he can be heard all over West Selma. THIS WAS TOTALLY UNNECESSARY AND VERY DISRESPECTFUL. Once again, Duke has shown that he only brings strife, disunity, and hatred into this community by his unthoughtful actions.
We also want to know WHO gave him and his group permission to use the city soccer field AT THE SAME TIME THE MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS BEING HELD? Or do they just assume they own Selma and can go anywhere and do anything they want to. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH FROM THESE TROUBLE MAKERS WHO DIVIDE OUR COMMUNITY, and disrupting a service to honor people who gave their lives in the service of our country is the LAST STRAW.
