Show respect for America’s colors

On Saturday Sept. 10, I attended the Wauconda High School homecoming parade along with hundreds of other people. With 9/11 etched in the minds of most Americans, especially in light of new threats for 9/11/11, I was shocked and dismayed when the American Legion color guard passed my location and I was the only one to stand on the parade route. Not one other person stood up. No one removed their hat. No one saluted or put their hand on their heart.

As a drafted United States Marine and Vietnam veteran I am used to the disdain of fighting an unpopular war. Unlike myself who was drafted, the 2.8 million solders who have volunteered in current conflicts have fought, died or been wounded and deserve respect that includes getting up off your bum. Take off your dumb hat and put your hand over your heart as the colors of the United States of America pass you by.

Maybe you should all think and realize that we are using our greatest natural resource (our kids) to defend and protect the everyday freedoms we all enjoy. Maybe then you will rise to the occasion when our colors pass by.

John Seplak

Wauconda