On a day honoring them, veterans protest

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – Dozens gathered on a busy corner in Wisconsin Rapids for a protest on a chilly Veterans Day on Tuesday.

The protest included veterans and family members of veterans. Further up the expressway, several people waved American Flags honoring veterans.

Veterans were there

Richard Bartosh served in the Marine Corp in South Vietnam from 1969-1970. He said veterans have done a great deal for this country to assure we have the freedoms we do.

”I think it’s a real appropriate time to emphasize the importance of affirming veterans and affirming the importance of democracy in this country,” says Bartosh. “So I’m glad to be here.”

Michael Kinney also served in the Marine Corp. He said veterans are not suckers and losers and the cuts at the Veterans Administration are concerning.
 
“When we took that oath it was for the constitution,” Kinney says. “It was not for wanna-be dictators.”

And so were loved ones

Liz McDonald came out to protest with several of her siblings. She’s from Stevens Point and said they came because their dad was a WWII veteran.

“ We made a sign for my dad. We’ve got his picture from World War II on there, and our sign said our dad was Antifa. And so are we,” shared McDonald. “Because people need to realize that Antifa really means anti-fascists, and that’s who they were fighting in World War II, and that’s what we’re trying to fight against right now. So that’s why I’m here.”

Gaylee Warner’s father served in Korea during WWII. Her brother served two tours in Vietnam and died from Parkinson’s Disease due to Agent Orange. Her husband served during Vietnam and her son served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Warner said it’s disrespectful to see rights taken away when men and women have died for them.

“ I’m watching the VA being downgraded. I’m watching my husband having to spend more and more time waiting to get services,” says Warner. “My son coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan is having to fight harder for services.”

Warner said she believes in the USA.

“I support our country. I think most people agree that we want it to be better. We need to come together. All of us, we’ve been lied to. We need to stand up to it and say no more. So that’s why I’m here.”

American Flags honoring veterans

A handful of people stood on the corner of the East Riverview Expressway and 8th Street South waving American Flags Tuesday afternoon. The individual who was indicated as the organizer refused to give a comment.

Patrick Kulas was there with a large American Flag and also had a pole mounted to the front of his pickup truck.

“ Because it is Veteran’s Day and I’m a veteran and a patriot,” says Kulas. “What better way to show that than to stand around and wave American flags?”

Kulas said positive things about the state of the country. 

“I think they’re going better than expected. I think it’s wonderful that the shutdown is looking like it’s finally nearing its end.”

---