What Is Wrong W/ These Jerkwads?

Erasing Black History

Veteran's microphone cut off when he discusses Blacks' role in establishing Memorial Day

Event organizer turned down sound for part of speech; Speaker says he was censored by Hudson American Legion

In this image captured from Hudson public access television, retired Army Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter checks to see if the microphone is functioning after organizers turned off audio during part of his Memorial Day speech in Hudson.
Image from HCTV video.

How effing petty & hateful can one be?

The microphone was turned down for about two minutes in the middle of Kemter's 11-minute speech during the event hosted by the Hudson American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464.

Cindy Suchan, who chairs the Memorial Day parade committee and is president of the Hudson American Legion Auxiliary, said it was either her [sic] or Jim Garrison, adjutant of American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464, who turned down the audio. When pressed, she would not say who specifically did it.

Suchan said organizers wanted this part excluded because it “was not relevant to our program for the day," and added the “theme of the day was honoring Hudson veterans.”

Kemter said he wanted to use his speech to share the history of the origin of Memorial Day. Afterward, he noted, he received "numerous compliments" from attendees who told him “it was nice to hear the history.”

“It was well-received,” Kemter said, adding many people told him, “I never knew that.”

He expressed disappointment with the event organizers' actions.

“I find it interesting that [the American Legion] … would take it upon themselves to censor my speech and deny me my First Amendment right to [freedom of] speech,” Kemter said. “This is not the same country I fought for.”