To Members of City Council:
The idea of emphasizing weapons of war in the fall around November 11 is highly ironic since Armistice Day originated in the desire for peace and the hope that the First World War was fought to end all wars.
November 11 originally was to remember an entire generation which was wiped out by war. Poppies were worn in hopes there would be no more war.
I have to say that trying to co-opt this solemn time of remembrance in order to show off expensive war toys is highly offensive.
Virginia M. Jones
Oak Ridge
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Note: The submitted letters and columns published in the Opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of Oak Ridge Today or its staff.
Dave Smith says
You might be too easily offended.
Displaying antique “weapons of war” during a re-enactment in the month of November–or in any other month–is unlikely to knock the poppies out of your lapel, much less instigate the next war.
In the estimable words of Sgt. Hulka, you need to “Lighten up, Francis.”
Virginia M. Jones says
There is a time to dance and a time to mourn. The the date of remembrance of the death of a almost a generation of young men is a time to mourn–
Philip W Nipper says
I understand where Ms. Jones is coming from. In Europe, especially in the UK, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is a solemn day. One set aside for thought and contemplation and to pay respect for their war dead. My first duty station in the USN was in Holy Loch, Scotland. I still remember the feeling of the day in town, church bells tolling at 11 am, Her Majesty the Queen addressing the nation on radio and TV and EVERYONE wearing a poppy. The Brits nearly lost an entire generation in the “war to end all wars”. As for us on this side of the Atlantic, November 11th has slowly evolved over the years into just another excuse to consume hot dogs and hamburgers and buy a new mattress or car. If the Secret City Festival and the WW II re-enactment does in fact move dates from June to November 11, I think it would be appropriate to include a proper and fitting ceremony as part of the re-enactment at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to recognize and honor our war dead from all wars. With a real honor guard vice make believe soldiers. Now who can argue with that?
Matt Bailey says
Matt Bailey says
Why in the world are we even considering moving the festival to November? It gets dark earlier and colder. It’s football season and approaching the holidays.
Philip W Nipper says
Matt, I am not sure of the thought process associated with changing the date for the festival. The ORCVB apparently has recommended the change to council. I think they feel moving it to the Veterans Day weekend will add to the WWII reenactment. But like you say, there are many factors to consider.
johnhuotari says
Philip,
There are a number of reasons changes to the festival are being considered. I tried to outline the major ones in this story: http://bjq.6af.mytemp.website/2015/06/25/end-of-secret-city-festival-not-so-fast-city-officials-say/
I also included some information about the proposed date change, which was discussed by the Special Events Advisory Task Force created by City Council in February, if I remember correctly. Here’s a paragraph on the proposed date change: Several Task Force members said the date change could help the festival. Here are some of their reasons: It is cooler in the fall, children’s groups could be integrated, it could be coordinated with the schools’ two-week fall break, and it could tie into other local events, including Wounded Warrior and Fall Jamboree events at Windrock Mountain north of Oliver Springs and the Secret City Head Race at the Oak Ridge rowing course. There are also the beautiful fall colors in East Tennessee, and vendors from the former Foothills Fall Festival, which ended last year, need a place to go, Task Force members said.
Thank you.
John
johnhuotari says
Thank you for the additional information on the UK ceremony, Philip.
Philip W Nipper says
Ok John. If you want to see how the Brits marked the occasion last year, Google the Tower of London and see how it was transformed last November with hand blown glass flowers to signify the souls lost in that awful war. It was most remarkable.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Philip. I’ll take a look.
Sam Hopwood says
Ms. Jones and Mr. Nipper are right on target. Mr. Bailey not so much. He is concerned about football. Oh well…
Matt Bailey says
Sam, I swear, you’re gonna die drinking the kool aid. If you google the average temperature for Nov 11, here’s what you get:
The month of November is characterized by rapidly falling daily high temperatures, with daily highs decreasing from 65°F to 55°F over the course of the month, exceeding 75°F or dropping below 43°F only one day in ten. (Those are DAYTIME temps).
I think you played football Sam. I’m sure they used helmets – but are you aware of a single fan who missed a game to go to a Friday night festival? I thought you’d understand the football (Friday and Saturday) equals lower attendance.
Let’s discuss security for a moment: You’ll need overtime for the ORPD for a week, not a weekend. Please remember that time honored phrase “every penny counts”. If there is a home football game, do we even have enough patrolmen to handle both events? Again, more overtime. And let’s remember that providing security at night is much more difficult than during the daytime. Daylight Savings Time ends the last day of October. By the way, John, how many of city staff would be required to work overtime during this week long event? Will they receive overtime pay?
Again, I ask the question: You just had the most successful event ever, so why change the date. I fully understand Ms. Jones point and Mr. Nipper’s ideas. For November, they are noble ideas. Let’s see how many attend.
By the way, the schools’ break this year is Oct. 3-18.
David Kitzmiller discussed that the city rejected his (local) group for a vendor’s license at the festival this year to sell food, so I’m not sure the Foothills Fall Festival vendors are a legitimate concern.
Sam Hopwood says
If the weather is cool Matt, wear a jacket, that’s what they are for. Other concerns, lobby City Council, they will make the decision. I look forward to you addressing them.. See you at the Fall Secret City Festival.
johnhuotari says
Note: The recommendations by the Special Events Advisory Task Force are on the agenda for Monday night’s Oak Ridge City Council meeting.
You can see the recommended festival changes here: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/images/uploads/documents/agendas/2015Agenda/20150810Additions.pdf
The Monday night meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom.