Veterans Respond to Trump's "Loser's and Sucker's" claim

By VFPchapter27 Blog

Have You No Shame, Donald Trump?

We veterans swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. So did you, Mr. Trump. We honored our oath with our service in the military and throughout our civilian lives. How about you, Mr. Trump?

You attacked decorated military veterans including the late Sen. John McCain about whom you said, “He’s not a war hero …. I like people who weren’t captured.” [1]^, [2]^, [3] You even ridiculed the Gold Star parents of an American officer killed in action in Iraq.[4] You repeatedly spewed your contempt for members of our military who sacrificed their lives in service to our country by calling them “losers” and “suckers.” [5], [6] We veterans who unite in this message have all had a family member or friend lose their life while in service to our country. We find your disdain for the military and your Republican Party’s cowardly silence abhorrent.

You insulted the country’s top military officials when you said, “I wouldn’t go to war with you people. . . . You’re a bunch of dopes and babies.”[9] The generals you demean are the same ones who described the White House Situation Room as a place “where the military struggles to accommodate a commander in chief who is both ignorant and capricious.” [10] Your Republican Party response? Fearful silence.

Your increased privatization of the VA medical system has led to longer waits for veterans and higher taxpayer costs.[11] Your Republican Party response? Shameful silence.

As a candidate, you sent funds raised for a veterans’ benefit effort to the Donald J. Trump Foundation instead of the promised veterans’ charities. Fortunately, a court ordered your corrupt foundation to shut down because of fraud.[12] Your Republican Party response? Detestable silence.

Duty. Honor. Service. Courage. These are not mere words. They were hallowed creeds when we served in the military. They still are. We know that serving a cause greater than oneself is the highest calling. We also know that you cannot comprehend this concept of service above self.

You are unfit for service. Your Republican Party response? Repugnant silence.

Signed by concerned veterans from Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District:

John Armour, Army, X-Y

Paul Armour, Army, 1967-69

Kelly Bankole, Air Force and Air Force Reserve, 1985-2007

Paul Brower, Air Force, 1967-86

Carl Richard Guiton, M.D., Army, 1960-73 and 1981-91

Len Kloeber, Army, 1979-02

Robert F. Mokos, Air Force, 1971-77

Michael Orange, Marine Corps, 1968-70

Donald Slaten, Navy, 1969-73

[1] Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/19/white-house-twitter-attacks-vindman-during-trump-impeachment-testimony.html, and