For the past five years, I have served as an elected (and unpaid) officer of VFW Post 4031 in Durango.
VFW Post 4031 includes two large halls and a commercial kitchen, which are available to the public for weddings, concerts, classes and meetings. Anyone who wishes to host an event is welcome, if space is available.
For several years, the La Plata County Republicans have rented a hall for its monthly committee meeting. The VFW is not partial to the GOP; Sen. John Hickenlooper recently rented our hall and Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton held a fundraiser here a few years ago.
I can understand that a recent letter writer does not approve of the Moms for Liberty. She wrote that MLF targets those who do not share its views and MFL advocates for book banning and censorship.
What I cannot understand is the letter writer’s request that our VFW Post censor the La Plata County Republicans by forbidding them to invite a speaker because that speaker may not share the letter writer’s views.
Every VFW Post 4031 member once swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Please don’t ask us to censor those renting our hall, or to deny their rights of assembly and free speech. As the letter writer ended her letter, that would be “divisive, cruel and hateful and not welcome in our community.”
Meg Vanasse
Durango
