A 21-gun salute in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, to honor Civil War soldiers killed in battle has been scrapped because it violates a local code.
Borough Manager Cathie Thomas insisted that an ordinance enacted in 1983 bans the discharge of any gun or firearm, even if blanks are used, the Pocono Record reported Wednesday.
Stroudsburg Borough Council member Boyd Weiss told the newspaper he was dumbfounded by the decision to quash the salute, which was set for Sunday.
“I couldn’t understand that. My entire life we’ve had gun salutes on Veterans Days or in celebration of veterans,” he said.
Ms. Thomas proffered that an amendment could be made to the code, which would allow future 21-gun salute ceremonies to be held, the Pocono Record reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.