Letter: Remembrance parade is not the place for pacifist's poem
Mr Evans is "rather puzzled" as to who he has offended and what he said to offend them while reading his poem called The Lesson at last year's Remembrance Day parade in Wellington.
I attended the parade and I will try to explain to you Mr Evans, why I personally was offended and why others may well have been.
The parade is not the time or place to air your personal views about war or peace but for families who have been directly affected by all the wars that have passed, to pay their respects to their mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who have died fighting for our country.
I actually walked away when you started reading your poem because it played no part in what the parade should signify, as did several other people.
You have stated you did your duty for your country and obeyed orders, but by your decision to become a pacifist whilst witnessing the carnage first hand and vowed not to kill any more people, instead secretly shooting to miss.
Have you ever considered that by your actions you could well have been responsible for the death of your fellow soldiers and comrades around you by shooting over the heads of the enemy, a comrade who's family maybe even standing around you during the remembrance service.
As an ex-infantryman myself, as a soldier, it is extremely important for me to know that the soldier standing next to me will be shooting to kill. If you are not I am at a greater risk of dying.
I wonder how many of your friends while in battle you told that you will not be shooting any more of the enemy? Not many I suspect.
I fear, Mr Evans in my opinion, you have hypocritical tears for your friends and once you had made the decision to become a pacifist you did not do your duty or obey orders.
I have written before your quest for world peace is an admirable one, which all rational people would aspire to, so please go to the remembrance service but keep your private thoughts to yourself.
Jim Hayward, Wellington
