Parade for Bergdahl Canceled After Army Commander Called Event 'Monstrous Profanity'

A “Welcome Home” parade for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was cancelled on June 4 after U.S. Army Platoon Commander Jonathan Kennedy called it a “monstrous profanity.”

The parade was scheduled to take place in Hailey, Idaho–Bergdahl’s hometown and the town in which Kennedy lives.

According the Daily Mail, “a row… erupted between Mayor Fritz Haemmerie and [Kennedy]” when Haemmerie’s intent to throw a parade became known. Kennedy’s position was shared by numerous townspeople who flooded the mayor’s office “with calls and emails in opposition to the plans.”

Kennedy said he understands if private parties are thrown–financed by private money–but “it would be… a monstrous profanity if a public ceremony, financed by public money, were to be held. It would be more monstrous still if this ceremony were to, in any way, heap undeserved adulation on Bergdahl.”

The celebration was going to feature Grammy Award winning singer Carole King and a speech from Bergdahl’s parents. 

But Kennedy said even though Hailey is getting a native son back, “there are six other towns scattered across the country that never will.” These are the towns of those who were killed looking for Bergdahl after he allegedly deserted his unit in June 2009.

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