I was appalled when Democrat Jack Hembree falsely accused me of "religious bigotry" and "electioneering" during the short speech I was privileged to deliver on Memorial Day. ("Memorial Day service needs proper focus," June 7 Commentary.)

I was disheartened when Republican Timothy Trower responded to Hembree's statements with critical words of his own. ("Memorial Day event respectful," June 13 Ozarks Voices.)

When I showed up at the event, my plans were to photo-document the service and pay respect.

I saw a window of opportunity to speak, and took it by introducing myself only as a former Marine who holds great pride in having earned combat action decorations.

This is from the News-Leader article published May 30:

"This is the one day a year we've all set aside as a nation to honor our dead. Although that's very good, one day is not enough. ... We should honor them in what we do. We should honor them in what we say," Brantley said.

"There are more than those men and women who are buried (here). ... We have hundreds of thousands that are walking dead, wheeling dead, hobbling dead. It's our duty and obligation to take care of them now."

The above-mentioned writers seem to forget why we gathered in the first place.

We need to overcome partisan politics and focus on the basics: respect, homage and remembrance.

Robert M. Brantley, Springfield

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