Slidell vet declines award 'tainted' by NFL protests; Saints call his decision 'sad and divisive' [View all]
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
The head of a Slidell-based military veterans' organization has declined to accept a senior citizen award that was to have been presented during Sunday's (Nov. 5) New Orleans Saints game in the Superdome, citing the ongoing demonstrations by players before and during the national anthem at NFL games.
Retired Navy Cmdr. John Wells, executive director of the national Military Veterans Advocacy, was named a Peoples Health Champion, an award given by the Medicare health insurance advantage organization to citizens over 65 who have made significant accomplishments after reaching "senior citizen" status.
But on Wednesday, Wells told the organization he was unable "in good conscience, to enter an NFL stadium" while some players "disrespect" the American flag by kneeling or sitting during the anthem. Some Saints players in recent weeks have kneeled before the anthem, then stood while the anthem is sung.
A disabled veteran who served in the Navy from 1972 until 1994 and later became an attorney specializing in military and veterans law, Wells said he is dismayed by the NFL's refusal to disallow the protests
Read more: http://www.nola.com/northshore/index.ssf/2017/11/slidell_veterans_advocate_decl.html
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