Freedom in the crosshairs: political event at Big Gun draws ire

Oct. 25—A gathering of Democratic candidates at the Big Gun in Clyde last Friday has prompted debate over whether sacred symbols of American freedom should be used as part of a campaign message.

Conservatives on social media have lambasted the candidates for exploiting the Big Gun's imagery for political gain.

"It was utterly disrespectful and disgusting," said Tim Glance, owner of Old Grouch's Military Surplus across the street from the Big Gun. "If you had an event around it or in front it, that's one thing. But to use it as a pedestal to deliver political speeches from and hang campaign signs from, it was inappropriate."

The event was hosted by Josh Remillard, who has made his service as a veteran — including serving two tours in Iraq — central to his campaign for N.C. House. He billed the event as a Freedom Fest and staged it at the Big Gun for a reason.

"Having served in the Army, having been deployed overseas, having lost buddies in conflict, I wanted to pay homage to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms and rights in this country," Remillard said.

Haywood Democratic Party Chair Myrna Campbell said the criticism from the right on social media is disingenuous.

"Conservatives feel like they own the market on the flag and patriotism. But they are the ones who are politicizing this," Campbell said. "Josh was sincere in his intent to honor veterans and has every right to be at a veterans monument."

However, Glance said using the Big Gun as a prop crossed the line.

"They ziptied campaign signs to the gun. Would you tape a campaign sign to the Vietnam Wall? Hang one off of the flag pole on the Iwo Jima Memorial?" Glance posed. "Just because this is a local memorial and not famous doesn't make it any less inappropriate."

Snowballing

As the ire on social media snowballed, one campaign volunteer was targeted by having her home address splashed on Facebook. It's unclear whether the purpose was to intimidate her at best or incite retaliation against her at worst, but regardless, it was reported to law enforcement.

Meanwhile, the controversy has bled into the Haywood County sheriff's race. Larry Bryson, the Democratic candidate for sheriff, attended the rally, and has been attacked on social media, as well. Bryson said the "far-right radical types" are the ones exploiting the issue for political purposes.

"Most people didn't see one thing wrong with us standing down there around the gun — unless you were looking for something to pick at and create some row," Bryson said. "This has become fodder for critics being so close to the election."

Bryson was quick to note that he was merely invited to the event and attended it.

"I didn't have any intention to degrade or deface anybody by appearing down there. I just got invited," said Bryson, whose son is in the military.

Bill Wilke, the Republican candidate for sheriff and a veteran, said he was initially angered by the images he saw on social media of the Big Gun. But after some reflection, he said his "anger has subsided" and instead, he sees the demonstration as a fundamental right to free speech in America.

"This event has reminded me of the importance of preserving what so many of us have sacrificed for, most importantly, the freedom to express ourselves without fear of retribution," Wilke wrote in a post on his Facebook page.

Wilke called on those who are upset to remember what the country was founded on.

"In historical terms, it is disagreement and opposing opinions which have forged this nation from its very beginning. The absence of dissent is the beginnings of tyranny," Wilke wrote. "Stand with me in disagreement to those using our memorials as a footstool, but protect them in doing it."

Wilke declined to comment beyond his social media post, other than to say the issue is "not about political parties."

"This is about safe-guarding the freedoms of our First Amendment," Wilke said.

Monument or landmark?

The Big Gun, a Naval WWII-era anti-aircraft gun, has been an icon of Haywood County since its installation in the 1960s. Generations of children have scrambled on the Big Gun, taking the gunner's seat to shoot down imaginary aircraft.

Bryson said comparing the Big Gun to more solemn war memorials is a fallacy — like the tribute to 9/11 fabricated from salvaged steel from the World Trade Center sits down the street from the Big Gun at the Clyde Fire Station.

"I would never think of anybody doing anything around that piece of steel where 3,500 people were murdered," Bryson said.

But Glance believes the Big Gun deserves the same respect.

"It shows a lack of situational awareness," Glance said. "It is a sad example of how a growing number of people are disconnected from what something like that means."

Glance was particularly bothered by some of the candidates stepping on a stone marker mounted to the Big Gun that pays tribute to Charles Matthews, a Clyde resident who was the town's first casualty in Vietnam.

"They stood on the monument to a fallen soldier so they could make political speeches," said Glance, noting one used it as a "step-stool" to hoist herself onto the monument. "I'm disappointed that nobody there in the crowd didn't think to say, 'Hey don't stand on that.'"

While initially erected as a tribute to veterans, the Big Gun has since become a landmark. "Meet me at the Big Gun" is even ascribed on its base.

"Being a rallying point for the community is written into its fundamental purpose," Remillard said.

Remillard saw the Big Gun as a fitting rallying point to convey a message on the importance of voting as a patriotic duty.

"People are free to say what if they disagree with it. But to set the record straight, I saw it as a conjoining of forces," Remillard said. "Soldiers have given their lives to protect one of the most sacred traditions we have in this country, which is voting. Don't squander the sacrifices made by others by sitting on your hands on Election Day."

Remillard said the imagery of a rallying point is meaningful in military circles.

"The hand signal in the military to bring forces closer to you if they are spread out is to stick your hand up in the air and make small circles. That means 'Rally on me,'" Remillard said. "The Big Gun signifies that to me with my military experience."

The event, which included live music and a food truck, wasn't partisan to Remillard.

"I wanted to gather the community around by the Big Gun to encourage people to recognize that sacrifice made by my brothers- and sisters-in arms," Remillard said.

Remillard's opponent, N.C. Rep. Mark Pless, R-Bethel, declined to comment for this article, but shared one of Glance's social media posts on his own Facebook page.

"Veterans, I am at a loss for words. I am sorry and thank you for your sacrifice," Pless wrote in his post.

While the Big Gun is public property in Clyde's town square, Glance has taken the issue personally. His late father — the original Old Grouch — used to maintain the Big Gun by periodically repainting it.

"The last time he spent about two months out there, three to four hours a day, scraping and painting," Glance said.

Glance has now taken up the mantle and bought paint for the latest undertaking, which is being carried out with help of the Canton Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

"Perhaps instead of using a war memorial as a political prop they should have considered helping the members of my VFW post who have been volunteering in their spare time to help scrape the rust and repaint it before winter," Glance said.