A Wisconsin school district cancelled its annual Veterans Day program after parents complained about the 21-gun salute traditionally a part of the festivities.
The Eau Claire Patriotic Council has put on the program in conjunction with the Eau Claire Area School District every year since the early 1930s. But this year they couldn’t come to an agreement.
School district official Tim Liebham told local TV news station WQOW after the decision was made in October, “The shooting of guns [on school premises], even with blanks, is something we don’t feel is appropriate given society.”
He continued, “the needs of our children in our schools to be able to participate in those school activities would outweigh the 21 gun salute.”
Kaye Olsen, vice president of the Eau Claire Patriotic Council, told news station WEAU that she hoped to reach a compromise with the school district, but that none could be reached because of the presence of weapons.
“It’s really hard to tell the veterans they’re not allowed to bring those rifles in,” she said, especially because “the only purpose is to honor our flag and our country and teach the kids.”
The Patriotic Council’s program, including the 21-gun salute, was moved to a nearby Burger King parking lot and took place Tuesday morning.
