Is this the final word on Wheaton parade?

At the risk of being "outrageous," I must once again respond to Dave Diersen's assertions concerning the Independence Day parade in Wheaton. Admittedly, when I first read his most recent letter I started to laugh. As I stated in my previous letter, this discussion is about a parade.

Mr. Diersen should save his "outrageous" comments for a more serious subject, like the lunacy seen on both sides of the health care debate, or the overreaction by the people worried about the president's speech to our nation's students.

More than 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson and many other forward-thinking statesman, came together to declare our independence from the British. Yet, in his letter, Mr. Diersen never once acknowledges who fought and won the battles to secure our declared independence. To say that politicians alone secured our freedom is an outrage. The colonial militias, which had been around since the 1600s, shed the blood and won that decisive battle.

Nowadays, it's not politicians "improving the safety and prosperity" of our nation, but rather the skilled members of our armed forces, law enforcement, business leaders and ordinary, hard-working citizens.

Despite Mr. Diersen's assertions, I do not "despise" politicians. I just don't think they should be the primary focus of the parade. Furthermore, I don't think it's "outrageous" for the parade to be fun, uplifting and have kid-friendly things like clowns, candy and musical acts. In fact, if the Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South bands could participate, it would be even better. That is civic pride in my mind.

I want to thank the Daily Herald for posting my letters, as well as those by Mr. Diersen. He may choose to respond to this letter; however, it is now September, and I am moving on from this subject. See you at next year's parade.

David Scott Thayer

Wheaton