To correct Joshua Flowers interpretation of the Veterans Day Parade in West Richland being "hijacked" (Letters, Nov. 11), it should be made clear that this was the Tri-Cities Tea Party's third year participating in the parade (we are three years old), the "giant" sign -- Taxed Enough Already -- was 2 feet by 3 feet and is what "TEA" in tea party stands for. The sign on the vehicle said "Tri-Cities Tea Party" and our other, larger sign said: "Tri-Cities TEA Party honors our Veterans!" and "God bless our Warriors!" The car carried a Korean War veteran as a passenger.

We handed out hundreds of American flags and copies of the Constitution and, as the flag bearer for our entry in the parade, I heard much applause and witnessed many salutes to the flag I carried. I heard no boos from the spectators, but anything is possible.

We honor our veterans at all our events and many of us are tea party members and veterans! We make no political statements in the parades and do not hand out any tea party literature. That is a rule of the parade committee and we enthusiastically honor that rule because it is the day to honor our vets.

Leon Howard, West Richland