Montage with only 1 photo of Obama, several of Bush concerns some guests at America's Freedom Festival

Published: Friday, July 3, 2009 1:18 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

PROVO — It's probably a good thing President Barack Obama didn't come to the annual Patriotic Service last Sunday night in Provo, a few attendees are saying.

He might have wondered if he really were commander in chief after all.

"(It would have been) very embarrassing for Utah County," said Alan Peters, a BYU student who attended the annual service conducted in the Marriott Center by America's Freedom Festival.

Peters' concern was raised by a video montage of Americana-type images, shown while the Osmonds 2nd Generation sang two patriotic songs.

There were familiar images of flags, soldiers, families, Peters said, as well as several pictures of former President George W. Bush, but only one picture of Obama.

"Whether or not you're an Obama supporter, he is the president," Peters said.

But the montage creator and group's lead singer, David Osmond, said there were pictures of both men, and he's disappointed that more people didn't focus on the lyrics.

"If it came across pro-Bush and anti-Obama, I don't see how that would be possible," he said. "It was definitely not intentional at all, no disrespect to our president in the least."

Story continues below

The first song, titled "Put Your Hand Over Your Heart," showed images of Bush with his hand over his heart, many of them following the 9/11 attacks, Osmond said.

The second song, "Morning Breaks on Arlington," was meant to honor fallen troops and included a picture of Vice President Joe Biden and Obama placing a wreath for a soldier, Osmond said.

Time constraints prevented Osmond from overhauling the first video montage, which he had used previously and before the election, but he was already updating the images when contacted by the Deseret News.

America's Freedom Festival at Provo organizers received some angry e-mails expressing concern over the program, said Paul Warner, executive director. Warner didn't preview the montage, but knowing the group, said he knew it was never intended as a presidential snub.

Peters isn't used to such politically charged Fourth of July celebrations. Growing up near Chicago, the summer holiday was more about the "Taste of Chicago" food festival, fireworks on the lake and spending time with family.

"Patriotism, honoring American heritage … (are) important things, but I think sometimes people confuse patriotism with conservative values or principles," he said.

Peters is a self-proclaimed moderate. He grew up as a Democrat, later volunteered with Bush's election campaign and now agrees with some, but not all, of Obama's decisions.

Recent comments

I give Obama a thousand times more respect than the hypocritical...

P in Mexifornia | July 7, 2009 at 3:20 p.m.

"Yeah, we should limit the photos of Obama- the sheeple of the US...

Anonymous | July 7, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.

You mean the same Obama whose political career began in the home of...

P in Mexifornia | July 7, 2009 at 2:08 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

You need to be put into an easy maze with your reward at the end. I doubt any...

So Max Hall "deceived" the defense??? As the ref's left the field at the...

3A: Juan Diego 12, Hurricane 10

Wow! What a stunner! Hard game to lose but I just want to tell the...

Glenn Beck to enter politics?

For President???? NOOOOOO, Glenn Beck is not as stupid as the other...

Glenn Beck to enter politics?

Bush was never elected president. The supreme court appointed him by stopping...

I was thinking late in the game "this is a miracle" the Jazz are in this is...

Constitution/Constitutional....party.

First let me say: Good win cougs... was it last year or 2 years ago Unga...

Sloan wants Fes in better shape

Fesenko has to play for the Jazz to get a ring. They can win without him but...

Good game i mean exciting. One thing Boozer didnot post double double. AK and...

Advertisements