EDITOR,

Manteca had its annual Memorial Day weekend “Not Forgotten” event to honor the fallen and their families. This event has never been about politics; it’s been about appreciating all who have served our country and who never came back.

Our congressman, Jerry McNerney, returned an RSVP, stating that he would attend the services on May 25. Then, McNerney called Pastor Mike Dillman, a Vietnam veteran, at the last minute to let him know that he was unable to attend due to an illness that had forced him to cancel all his weekend activities. The program at the Manteca event had to be changed at the last minute at additional cost and time.

The next morning, McNerney met with a Contra Costa County supervisor and then held a public meeting at Aldadino’s Pizza Parlor in Discovery Bay.

McNerney ran for Congress in 2006 stating that his son had joined the Air Force to serve his country, and then he turns around and pulls this kind of garbage.

On Memorial Day, the families of the fallen deserved a lot more than this guy had to offer. They deserved respect. And, as Gold Star parents of Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Dewey, McNerney has to earn ours.

Scott and Julie Conover, Tracy