100th anniversary of vets parade | Letters to the editor, Nov. 24, 2018

100th anniversary Veterans Parade coming

Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the annual Fresno Veterans Day parade and I would like to assist in making it the best parade thus far!

Daniel Payne has done a great job putting together the Veterans Day parade and because of him and his team, Fresno now hosts the biggest parade in the nation. I served in the Navy for more than eight years, and I have a few ideas and networking skills that could assist in bringing hundreds of more veterans from around the world to the parade here in Fresno.

It is also a good possibility we could even get the Blue Angles to put on a show for the parade! The parade is already televised worldwide so I would like to join the team and start planning now for next year, in order to make the 100th anniversary parade one to remember.

Believes Trump on forest management

One of the most important responsibilities of California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office is to analyze the governor’s annual budget and publish a detailed review at the end of February . From 2015-18 there has been a 33 percent reduction in the natural resources budget, part of which includes forest management.

In 2017-18 the governor’s drought response spending proposal included $91 million to a) hire and train new firefighters b) service existing equipment and c) purchase new equipment. Tree removal, which includes the dead and dying trees, was only $30 million.

It’s easy enough to check these facts and draw your own conclusions. As for me, however, it looks like too much was spent in preparation to fight fires than was ever considered in preventing them. Therefore, when President Trump states that there was a lack of forest management by our governor, I’m inclined to believe him.

No respect shown for veterans

As veteran I was appalled and disgusted by our president’s actions during the Veterans’ Day weekend.

First he canceled attending a service at an American cemetery just outside Paris because of rain. He chose instead to spend the day hunkered down in the ambassador’s quarters. He blamed the Secret Service, but I can guarantee you that Reagan, Clinton, both Bushes and Obama would have been there. What higher calling is there than to honor our fallen heroes?

Next, he refused to join the other world leaders in making the solemn walk down the Champs de Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe.

To complete this disgraceful trifecta, he opted not to make the 10-minute trip to the solemn service at Arlington National Cemetery, a trip that all previous presidents have made.

I am truly ashamed by the utter disrespect President Trump has shown our veterans, both living and deceased.