AKRON, Ohio (Tribune News Service) — Another organizer of Hudson's Memorial Day ceremony has resigned amid national outcry after a veteran's microphone was cut when he talked about Black Americans' role in the holiday's history.
Cindy Suchan has stepped down from her position as president of the Hudson American Legion Auxiliary, according to the American Legion Auxiliary of Ohio.
"All parties involved in the events that occurred at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Hudson Post have resigned," the American Legion Auxiliary of Ohio announced Monday on its website.
While specific names of those involved were not listed in Monday's announcement, the American Legion Auxiliary of Ohio on Friday requested Suchan's resignation in connection with a Memorial Day speaker's microphone being cut for about two minutes of his 11-minute speech.
Messages left Monday for Suchan and Kelly Gibson, department secretary-executive director for the American Legion Auxiliary of Ohio, were not immediately returned.
Suchan is the second person involved with the incident who has resigned. Jim Garrison on Friday resigned from his position as adjutant of Hudson American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464.
Suchan previously said it was either her or Garrison who turned down the audio of retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter as he spoke about Black Americans' role in the history of Memorial Day. When pressed, she would not say who specifically did it.
Suchan earlier told the Beacon Journal Kemter's mic was turned down because it “was not relevant to our program for the day," and added the “theme of the day was honoring Hudson veterans.”
The American Legion Department of Ohio officials said they requested the resignation of Garrison and Suchan after an investigation found the "censoring" of Kemter's speech was "pre-meditated and planned by … Garrison and … Suchan."
American Legion state officials also suspended the Hudson post's charter last week "pending permanent closure."
pkeren@thebeaconjournal.com
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