NEW ORLEANS – The St. Tammany Republican Parish Executive Committee on Monday passed a resolution urging veterans organizations to avoid holding events in New Orleans or in any city, county, parish or state that has removed memorials to fallen warriors, including those who served in the Confederate Army.
By a vote of 8-0, the RPEC voted for the resolution, offered by members Rob Maness (Col, USAF, Ret.) and John Wells (Cdr., USN, Ret.).
"We have taken no position on New Orleans' ill-conceived and poorly executed removal of three warriors of the United States and the Confederacy, as we recognize this is a local issue," said Maness. "What we have done, however, is discourage veterans organizations from holding conferences, conventions and events in New Orleans and in any other place that dishonors veterans in any way."
"Congress long ago recognized Confederate veterans as American veterans," Wells said. "While we may not agree with their cause in hindsight, many if not most – including officers – donned the CSA uniform out of a sense of duty. Most never owned or even saw a slave."
"We hope the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will vote for House Bill 71 on Wednesday, giving control of such decisions back to the people," Maness said. "If they don't – and we are not optimistic – we will reinforce our position that veterans and veterans organizations should not visit New Orleans for any official event."
RPEC is a statutory body consisting of 19 members, with five elected at-large and one from each Parish Council district.