Ron Kellner, Commander of American Legion Post 7 in Gainesville, said a group of veterans chatting at Mule Camp Market in Gainesville Saturday decided to put together the local gathering because they couldn't make the trip to D.C.
Kellner said about 75 people gathered at 9:00 a.m. Sunday in Rock Creek Park, now known as Veterans' Park.
"That was our professional gathering to support those that were in Washington and also to let them know that little ole Gainesville, Georgia, we feel the same way, and we just wish we could have been there," Kellner said.
In Washington, veterans took down police barricades and entered the World War Two Memorial, while some continued on to the White House South Lawn. The WWII Memorial and others have been blocked during the partial government shutdown.
"The other thing was the fact that they're (federal government) just using veterans and soldiers as pawns to try to get what they want and citizens," Kellner said.
A variety of veterans' groups were represented at the Gainesville gathering, according to Kellner.
Photo from Graham Martin
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/10/266735