The offer to join in Dariens Memorial Day festivities is on the table, but it seems unlikely that state attorney general and U.S. Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal will accept. Monuments and Ceremonies Commission Chairman Phil Kraft told Darien Patch that he invited Blumenthal to march in the towns Memorial Day parade. State political blogs, however, are reporting that the candidate will not make large public appearances over the holiday.
Kraft said Wednesday, If he finds himself with nowhere else to march on Memorial Day, I'd love to have Attorney General Blumenthal in our parade. " Blumenthal has also been invited to other events around the state, including Torringtons parade an event at Greenwich American Legion Post 79.
Blumenthals campaign spokesperson Maura Downes, however, has told political blogger Brian Lockheart that he will not make major public appearances on Memorial Day, choosing instead to honor veterans in quieter affairs. Hes just committed to keeping the focus on veterans. He thinks Memorial Day weekend is a solemn occasion and the focus should be squarely and solely on honoring our service men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect their freedoms, Downes said.
Veterans are a touchy subject for the attorney general recently, after the New York Times published a report detailing instances where he appeared to indicate that he had served overseas during the Vietnam War, when in reality he received five deferments before serving in the Marine Corps Reserves. Blumenthal apologized for his misstatements, but some voters still consider it to be an issue.
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