Gannett Wisconsin Media
• April 19, 2009
fdlreporter

ASHWAUBENON — Veterans say a festival that could include tobacco sampling, a tattoo parlor and heavy metal music doesn't belong near the Brown County Veterans Memorial on Armed Forces Drive.

The village recently approved a permit for the Music as a Weapon event, set to take place 2-6 p.m. May 17 at the Resch Center before a Disturbed concert later that night. Organizers say the event won't happen near the memorial, which sits on the corner of South Oneida Street and Armed Forces Drive, but some vets are wary the scene will mock the memorial.

"That is sacred land to the veterans," World War II veteran Bob Young told the Village Board. "They don't like to see it abused.

"The veterans' concern comes on the heels of their displeasure last summer with a miniature golf course constructed almost immediately under the memorial. At that time, PMI Entertainment Group, which manages the Resch Center, shut down the mini-golf and promised not to crowd the memorial.

"There was (a) circus in front of it last year, and veterans were upset," Young said. "We don't want to see another example of that.

"The event's sponsor, Tats and Tunes Inc., out of California, estimates 150 people will attend, though some veterans suspect the number will be higher. The event would include motorcycle jumping, skateboard half-pipe demonstrations, and alcohol sales.

PMI President and Chief Executive Officer Ken Wachter said the event will take place in the brick plaza directly in front of the Resch and possibly in a parking lot across the street, both of which are east of the memorial.

"We told the vets last year we weren't going to do anything near the memorial, and we're still very cognizant of what we told them," he said. "It is something that's important to us.

"He said Chief Operating Officer Cora Haltaufderheid has been meeting with a group of veterans to create a list of "dos and don'ts" about activities near the memorial.

"And not all vets feel that way," Wachter said. "Some of them like that it's in a busy place where lots of people will see it."