Guns, but no shots at Memorial Day Parade News-Chronicle This year's Kiwanis Club Memorial Day Parade will feature school bands, military units, floats and lots of handouts. But one thing will be missing: The gun shots that typically signal the start of the parade and are fired as the procession makes its way across town. Parade chairman Jason Paul said organizers decided against the guns this year out of respect to those who fought in the recent war in Iraq, but the parade committee's position was changed after speaking with veterans groups. Guns will be allowed in Monday's parade, but they cannot be discharged. "One of the reasons we did it is we wanted to make a statement that it's time to put down the guns and work at peace," Paul said. "There's been enough shooting, and we wanted to show respect for those who fought over there or who still are over there." Discussions with veterans groups scheduled to march led to a middle-ground decision to let the groups carry real guns but not fire them. Drill teams using gun replicas were not affected, Paul said. Veterans groups contacted the parade committee to discuss the ban and a compromise was made Friday afternoon. "The parade, I like to say, reflects the best of the community," he said. "The vets are part of the community. "I think it's a good compromise." Vic DeCleene, former commander of the VFW in De Pere for 50 years, said last week he supports carrying guns in the parade but not firing them. "I think they're moving in the right direction on this," he said. "(Shooting guns) wasn't being done with the proper decorum. "I'd be in favor of guns if they'd do it in a way that makes sense. If they used good precision and just a few shots." He recalls veterans used to stop at the center of the Claude Allouez bridge for a brief ceremony, fire a few shots, and then drop flowers in remembrance of those who died at war. Now, he said, people fire randomly, often testing guns before the parade starts or for other trivial reasons - or for no reason at all. "I'm glad someone is getting control of it," DeCleene said. "I'm opposed to the random shooting. Using guns just for shooting doesn't impress anyone - it doesn't impress me." Although the parade is losing something, it is gaining veterans from the first and second Gulf wars. David Rasmussen, who served in the Army during the first Gulf War, has been gathering vets from that era to participate in the parade. He's had confirmation from 20 so far, and is looking for more. "You see all the vets in the parade, and we're the only war that isn't represented," he said. "I figured it was time for us to get involved." Daniel Roberts, who recently returned from fighting in Iraq, is expected to be in the parade. Paul said he expects about 40,000 spectators to attend the parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Monday at West De Pere High School. Seventy to 75 groups, including service organizations, businesses, the De Pere and West De Pere high school bands and other school groups, will participate. Miss Wisconsin and Miss Green Bay Area will be on hand, and radio personality Murphy in the Morning from WIXX-FM 101.1 will drive the Festival Foods Big Cart. Paul asks that people not park along the parade route, even on Sunday, to make sure there's room for the parade. He also stressed handouts, including candy, will be directly handed to people, so children and others don't need to run into the road to collect goodies. "One of the big issues we had last year was crowd control," Paul said. "So we're asking, for safety reasons, that people stay off the streets and keep the opening wider." Any veterans interested in participating in Monday's parade should contact David Rasmussen at 920-216-2247 or 337-4814.