KIEL, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An annual event honoring soldiers, who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice, didn’t take place in Kiel on Monday.
The city canceled its Memorial Day parade citing security concerns amid an ongoing investigation at the middle school.
But, the canceled plans didn’t stop some from paying tribute on Sunday.
Dave Schisel is a veteran from Kiel. Nothing was going to stop him from gathering with others in the community for a march to honor those who have served our country… not even the city’s decision to cancel the Memorial Day parade.
“The reason I’m here is to support those that have come before us and to honor them.”
Many residents say they’re frustrated with the city’s decision to cancel.
“I’m not about to let some political antic keep us from celebrating what they’ve done,” said Schisel.
City officials canceled the Memorial Day parade due to four bomb threats to Kiel Middle School.
“Cooler heads need to prevail, they need to take a step back,” said Schisel. “Everybody has a right to their opinion, but they don’t have a right to be a domestic terrorist.”
The middle school has been at the center of a controversy for more than two weeks after an investigation was launched into students allegedly using non-preferred gender pronouns to refer to another student.
According to police, the threats have specifically referred to that investigation.
“I am discouraged by the fact that they are disciplining these kids that may or may not have said anything wrong,” said Dean O., a Kiel resident. “A person changing something about themselves, I’m okay with that, but to make other people change the way we believe, is kind of weird to me.”
The march started at a local tavern, and made its way through downtown to Veterans Park.
Event organizer, Jeanette Deschene, says she created the event to bring the community together.
“This is the one holiday parade that I don’t think should be cancelled. Our veterans throw themselves in the line of fire and we need to stand up against the threats.”
The march concluded with a moment of silence for the troops no longer with us.
“Those veterans that signed that bottom line, they took in whole to defend against terrorism… foreign and domestic,” said Schisel.
The school district decided last week to finish out the school year with virtual learning, for the safety of its students and staff.
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