Posted on 10/02/2013 10:24:01 AM PDT by jazusamo
The National Park Service opened the World War II Memorial Wednesday to veterans visiting from around the country.
Carol Johnson, a National Parks Service spokeswoman, said the veterans' groups had been granted access Wednesday because it was deemed a first amendment demonstration.
The memorial was still closed to the public, however, and Johnson said other war memorials on the National Mall would also be closed.
But veterans could be seen visiting the Vietnam War Memorial about a half-mile away.
The memorials were closed and barricaded because of the government shutdown that began Tuesday.
Veterans arriving at the World War II memorial Tuesday encountered barriers, which were moved at some point so that they could enter the memorial. It’s not clear if they were moved by the park service or lawmakers who were present.
On Wednesday, hundreds of people visited the World War II Memorial to protest its closure. Lawmakers from both parties were also present with visiting veterans.
The memorial is generally open 24 hours.
With the government shut down, however, barricades were posted Tuesday morning. The park service explained that the memorials were closed and that the Park Service would not have people on hand in case someone was injured while visiting a memorial.
Republicans have seized on the issue, suggesting the White House is putting up the barricades to make the shutdown deliberately painful.
The administration has responded by blaming Republicans for shutting down the government and denying funding to the Park Service.
The outdoor memorials should be open to all.
So they shut them down, because someone might be injured? What kind of sissified Country do we live in? I’ve been in countless parks with no Ranger nearby, and so have countless others. We all survived!
Yep. We’re all being punished for simply not falling in lock-step with Skippy’s utopian agenda. And veterans are probably among the least of his supporters, so it makes sense to fence them away from the monuments that honor them.
Skippy’s transparent, alright. Like a two year old throwing a tantrum. How stupid does he think we are?
F’ing Nazi sheize.
We should have a friggin’ parade out there by the millions.
Agreed, that’s about the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard, especially when everyone knows 0bummer wants to make it hurt.
AMEN to that!
The veterans were not done justice.
There is no reason for any open air memorials to be closed and barrycaded.
The VETS have turned the public sympathy,,,and when you listen to some of the VETS,,they are so anti-Obama it’s wonderful!
Is it closed at night? Are the gates locked? Is there even a fence? NO! What a load of crap. Maybe they should shut down all the federal highways just so nobody gets hurt. You know, any roadway that gets federal funding. Which is just about all of them.
“The WWII memorial is important, of course, but the greater concept is more important. I think the crowd should now, having achieved a victory, walk away from the WWII memorial and move on to the next memorial which is still closed. Force the government o open that one too. Then move on to the next. Rinse, lather, repeat.”
What a GREAT idea!
agree.........
“...the Park Service would not have people on hand in case someone was injured while visiting a memorial.”
God forbid that someone might fall down and skin their knee on government property! This is a prime example of the Nanny State mentality that we suffer under.
I can accept that a government building such as the Smithsonian would be closed, but an open air park? Get stuffed!
Tough guy Hairy Reed should go stop those anarchist vets.
You’re absolutely right, veterans are not being done justice.
Your suggestion, CCg, is dead on the mark. The veterans there should force them to remove barrycades from all.
And the irony of saying such a thing to WWII vets.
Needs to be said out here often and loudly:
NPS officers were turning their backs and stepping aside to LET the Barry-cades be removed, and allow access to the Vets and Citizens. They were defying orders.
We have Patriots there helping our people, and they need to be recognized and applauded.
Spread this; so they will hear that they are appreciated.
These little bureaucrat bustards didn't GRANT anything. The Veterans TOOIK it.
“By the WH to make it painful”
Like the sequester and closing the WH to its owners?
Yeah, this is their modus operandi.
And there was no reason to ‘close’ the VN memorial.
You can just walk by it on sidewalk. Closing it is Obama BS!
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