To the editor:
Last Monday, our city observed Memorial Day with a parade of honored veterans, reservists, public officials, students and special guests. It was heartening to see hundreds of residents gather to memorialize the men and women who've died in service to our nation.
This solemn event, however, was marred by three supporters of congressional candidate Bill Hudak, who slipped into the parade and marched with Hudak T-shirts and campaign paraphernalia, waving to the crowd and advertising his candidacy beneath an American flag. They were not affiliated with any of the groups invited to participate, and Mr. Hudak has twice refused to answer inquiries into this matter from our director of Veteran's Services.
Mr. Hudak is the Republican Party candidate. He has the right to run his campaign any way he sees fit. He can walk our streets and greet people, knock on our doors or attend public events to make his case.
The Hudak for Congress website presents his positions, in which he states, "Those who place themselves in harm's way for the freedom of this country are heroes, and deserve to be treated as such." Yet his supporters treated our Memorial Day like some cheap political stunt.
Bill Hudak claims to honor veterans while his campaign exploited their day of remembrance for his political gain, an act of shameless hypocrisy. He owes a public apology to all veterans and their families.
Barry Connell
City councilor, Newburyport
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