A reader wonders about Inspiration Night on the River.

A blog reader writes:

I have been trying to find out some details about the Saturday (10/4) night rally on the riverfront when Mike Sodrel spoke. I would like to know the nature of his talk (was it a campaign or patriotic speech), what organization and individuals supported this rally, were there any other speakers, and if so who were they.

I called the Tribune but they didn't know any details.

I am concerned about this because our church had a booth there and I am strongly opposed to a church participating in any political gathering. Members of a church should be free to exercise their political support for anyone they choose but the church's name should not be associated with that support.

I hope you can help me.

I'll readily confess to being stumped. Prior to reading this e-mail, I didn’t even know there was an event on the waterfront last Sunday, although after Googling, it surfaced that a preview article by Tara Hettinger appeared in the Tribune while I was gone on vacation.

Free family event for the community Oct. 4 on New Albany Riverfront

Lee Ann Wiseheart, S.U.R.F. (Students United Radically for Floyd County) Board member, is one of those helping organize this year’s event.“

"The purpose is to have a positive event for the community to come to where we can properly recognize folks that serve in the military and, at the same time, provide a positive uplifting theme to kickoff Harvest Homecoming,” Wiseheart said. “The community really came together in the midst of the wind storm. What’s a better way to bring everyone together again, in a positive way, that’s not picking up trees?”

Specifically, there was no mention of a Mike Sodrel speech in any of the pre-event publicity (see below), and the whole thing seems fairly innocuous. At the same time, our correspondent's questions are valid in terms of individual conscience, and they seem both sincere and worthy of answers.

Did anyone go?

NEW FOR 2008 - "INSPIRATION NIGHT ON THE RIVER" - OCT 4

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. • Location: New Albany Riverfront

Family Friendly Music • Family Friendly Speakers • Family Friendly Events • A Dare to Care Event

Special music by local and other artists; Special guest speakers; Games, and Inflatables.

Special tribute to our hometown heroes, the 152nd National Guard Unit and other troops past and present!

Hosted by: Interfaith Community Council in Association with area Churches and The Faith-Based Community