Editor,

I read about the protest at the Veteran’s Memorial in Coupeville on July 4th that disgraced our veterans, some of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. I am sure you didn’t know that a former American World War II prisoner of war in Germany and his wife (Bill and Mary Ethridge) developed this memorial to honor military veterans past, current and future.

To hold a protest on this hallowed ground is unforgivable; your actions thoroughly disgusted me.

I worked with Bill and Mary, along with many other Whidbey Island veterans and residents to see this memorial completed. I continue to manage, advertise, install purchased bricks and keep the memorial in presentable condition under the joint responsibility of the local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans — I am a life member — Island County, and Coupeville Lions Club and other Island County residents and groups.

The bricks on the floor began with honoring a Civil War veteran and continue honoring veterans through all conflicts and beyond today. These bricks are meant to remember and thank those that served this nation.

I have placed bricks in the memorial floor honoring my father,WWI – Army, my brother Korean War – Navy, myself, spanning 26+ years in naval aviation, and my son and grandsons both of whom are serving or have served our nation. I do not like anybody that dishonors the memory of any veteran,

You need to understand these illegal individuals, that you seem to support, have broken the laws of the United States by sneaking into our country and even when a U.S. citizen breaks a law and is convicted and sent to jail they also are separated from their children.

Explain to me how can this country determine if an illegal child that is accompanied by an illegal adult are actually DNA-connected to each other.

Assumptions just do not work. There is a legal process to enter this country; use it.

This is a free country and because of that, I have no problem with groups holding protests but to do it on this hallowed ground is a disgrace to our military, current and past. Just guess what group of patriots gives you that right to protest; that’s right, our veterans that continue to protect this country.

So thank and honor our veterans every day for their sacrifices for your safety.

Richard Johnson

Oak Harbor