A California man might just have committed the greatest dishonor to America’s legacy and freedom. A Memorial Day parade took a disturbing turn when a man watching began to heckle a veteran instead of celebrating him.
A TikTok post showcased moments from a Memorial Day parade held in Pasadena, where numerous spectators lined the roadside, sitting in chairs, flying the American flag, and watching the parade unfold.
A parade float passed by, and in it was a 103-year-old WW2 veteran who waved at the crowd, earning cheers and claps from everyone in the crowd, except for one man. The man, dressed in a blue sweater and shorts with long hair, sat front row, looking utterly disgusted. While others celebrated the veteran, grateful for his service, he booed and gave a thumbs-down gesture. In a subsequent clip taken from another angle, the long-haired heckler was joined by a friend who also gave a thumbs down.
After booing the veteran, who happened to be the Grand Marshal of the parade, the heckler turned his attention to the children walking in the parade. As a group of Boy Scouts passed by, he compared them to “Hitler youth.”
The heckler has since been identified as Theo Philpot of Pasadena, thanks to the cameraman. The user who shared the video pointed out the heckler’s hypocrisy with the caption: “Theo’s hypocrisy by enjoying the very freedoms safeguarded by veterans, including freedom of speech, while simultaneously belittling those who served and sacrificed to protect those rights. Not even the Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts were off limits.”
The infuriating clip quickly sparked online discourse, with many questioning Philpot’s gestures.
One netizen asked, “So why come to the parade then? Full of hate? Or just need attention?” Another also asked, “Why are they at a Memorial Day parade then? Do they know what Memorial Day is for? I fear not.”
An angry comment read, “Imagine the absolute audacity– he’s literally sitting at a parade off from work because of the sacrifices these heroes made.” Another user pointed out that even though the First Amendment gives the heckler the right to freedom of speech, it doesn’t mean he “SHOULD” use it to disrespect heroes.
Confused and enraged by Philpot’s actions, one user commented, “Wait, he got up early, packed supplies and a chair, tracked down front row spot, just to boo veterans on Memorial Day!!? The actual audacity of some people keeps surprising me.”
Another user pointed out that the heckler’s actions were disrespectful. The user further suggested that someone should find his location and hold a patriotic protest there.
