There and Here
An occasional column
Pat Ryan
August 31, 2024
Why do American Veterans cling to a candidate who openly disparages their service and sacrifices?
This week’s Trump flap over the cynical use of Arlington National Cemetery for partisan politicking came as no surprise, as it was from a champion of disrespect toward military personnel especially combat casualties. What was new was the perverse level the former president and his minions have reached, denigrating grounds that have been a sacred resting place for America’s heroes since the Civil War.
The episode arose from the anniversary of the deaths of 13 Marine Corps and Navy service members in Kabul during the chaotic departure of American forces from Afghanistan three years ago. Despite Trump’s responsibility for the withdrawal agreement with the Taliban while he was in office, he cynically blames the tragedy on the Biden-Harris Administration and made the visit, exploiting the grief of Gold Star families.
It followed a litany of outrageous comments belittling military service – something he avoided by faking medical disqualification during wartime. Most recently he denigrated the Medal of Honor calling the civilian Medal of Freedom “much better,” saying: “That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian. It’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but civilian version, it’s actually much better, because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they’re soldiers. They’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead.”
As with any of Trump’s jabs at military personnel no one was surprised. He has made it a habit, defying the traditional norms of high office.
Of Senator John McCain, who endured five years of captivity in North Vietnam and turned down early repatriation before his fellow POWs because his father was an Admiral, Trump said while campaigning in 2015, “He’s not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.” In office Trump later was outraged when flags were lowered to half-staff and by other honors accorded following McCain’s death.
When Trump backed out of a planned visit to an American military cemetery in France in 2018, he remarked to a staffer, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” He later referred to the 1,800 U.S. Marines killed at the sacred ground of Belleau Wood, as “suckers,” and questioned Americans fighting alongside our allies.
Trump’s callousness even extended directly to Gold Star families, as when he told a widow of a soldier killed in Niger in 2017, “he knew what he was signing up for.”
Trump’s attitude toward the service and sacrifice of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines was best summed up by his long-serving chief of staff, General John Kelly, in damning on the record remarks about the former president as: “A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.”
On a visit to ANC’s Section 60 – resting place of America’s most recent combat casualties, including Kelly’s son – Trump said, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” Kelly would later say, “There is nothing more that can be said. God help us.”
During the 2016 campaign Trump disparaged Khizr and Ghazala Khan, Gold Star parents of a fallen U.S. Army Captain in Iraq, for delivering remarks about the proposed bans of Muslims entering the United States. Of the episode Governor John Kasich said, “There’s only one way to talk about Gold Star parents: with honor and respect.”
The sanctity of military cemeteries should be important to all Americans. For me, Arlington is a much more meaningful place than to some others. I first visited at a young age, being impressed and inspired by the row upon row of gleaming heroes’ headstones. I took in the meaning of special markers like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame at JFK’s gravesite.
Since 2001, however, it has been a place where family, shipmates and friends have been buried. Starting with a Navy buddy who was killed when Flight 77 crashed into his Pentagon office on 9/11, through others lost in brutal combat in Iraq and in Central Asia supporting the war in Afghanistan, I became a regular visitor to their graves and others.
In 2003 my father joined those honored by a place at Arlington. His was not a combat death but he earned a spot in the ANC Columbarium by virtue of a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart meted out at the hands of a Nazi mortarman in a WWII battle north of Florence. My mother joined him there in 2010 as a spouse eligible for interment with a qualified member.
Likewise, my wife was interred at Arlington last October. She is a Navy veteran but was laid to rest in ANC by virtue of my qualifying full Navy career. We will one day share a grave and marker.
Visits to Arlington National Cemetery were always serene and respectful. Every interaction with ANC staff, especially in making arrangements for an interment, were professional and courteous and showed their deep devotion to maintaining the cemetery’s high standards. And they were always clear about the cemetery’s rules.
Then came Donald Trump and his staff, intent on producing a partisan campaign event. They were told in advance about the Federal Law prohibiting use of appearances at Arlington for partisan political purposes, yet they wantonly defied the law and attempted to record video and take photographs among the heroes in Section 60. When warned by an ANC official to stop the Trump team “pushed” her aside. It was a move consistent with the Trump ethos of disregarding the rules and getting heavy handed with people in their way.
The incident was summed up by the Army, “Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds … An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed.”
Not content with the rebuke Trump and his Vice President nominee used the incident in further attacks. Senator J. D. Vance responded that because of Vice President Harris’ remarks she could, “go to hell.” Harris had made no comments about the incident.
I concluded early into his political life that Trump is a charlatan who has added: convicted felon, sexual predator, twice-impeached president, insurrectionist and wannabe dictator to his credentials. Trump and his MAGA cult are a danger to the United States well beyond the January 6th attempt to overthrow the rule of law at the Capitol.
What troubles me is the failure of too many patriotic veterans to share the outrage that should be on the lips of all who served. We all raised our right hands and took the oath to defend the U.S. Constitution. Trump has said it should be set aside to secure his election.
What is it that has entrapped many of my fellow service men and women in the fascist cult of Trump? What is the allure of this con man who is clearly unfit to lead the nation. The same question should be asked about the general public who are in his thrall. But Trump’s open, unrepentant, repugnant commentary on veterans – living and dead – should be cause for reflection and rejection from the community of American Veterans.
Pat Ryan served 26 years in the U.S. Navy. “There and Here” is a column where he shares occasional analysis and commentary on international affairs and reflections on American issues.
Fact check: Donald Trump did call John McCain a loser
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/08/president-donald-trump-john-mccain-loser-fact-check/5741070002
Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997
Exclusive: John Kelly goes on the record to confirm several disturbing stories about Trump
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/02/politics/john-kelly-donald-trump-us-service-members-veterans/index.html
John Kelly Visited His Son’s Grave With President Trump on Memorial Day
https://time.com/5293727/john-kelly-visits-sons-grave-arlington-national-cemetary
Army says Arlington National Cemetery worker was ‘pushed aside’ by Trump aides
https://www.npr.org/2024/08/29/nx-s1-5092087/trump-arlington-cemetery-altercation-video
Why Are Military Personnel and Veterans Supporting Trump (American Issues Take One)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj_7TICppuk
Donald Trump Criticizes Muslim Family of Slain U.S. Soldier, Drawing Ire
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/us/politics/donald-trump-khizr-khan-wife-ghazala.html
Trump v. Vets
There and Here
An occasional column
Pat Ryan
August 31, 2024
Why do American Veterans cling to a candidate who openly disparages their service and sacrifices?
This week’s Trump flap over the cynical use of Arlington National Cemetery for partisan politicking came as no surprise, as it was from a champion of disrespect toward military personnel especially combat casualties. What was new was the perverse level the former president and his minions have reached, denigrating grounds that have been a sacred resting place for America’s heroes since the Civil War.
The episode arose from the anniversary of the deaths of 13 Marine Corps and Navy service members in Kabul during the chaotic departure of American forces from Afghanistan three years ago. Despite Trump’s responsibility for the withdrawal agreement with the Taliban while he was in office, he cynically blames the tragedy on the Biden-Harris Administration and made the visit, exploiting the grief of Gold Star families.
It followed a litany of outrageous comments belittling military service – something he avoided by faking medical disqualification during wartime. Most recently he denigrated the Medal of Honor calling the civilian Medal of Freedom “much better,” saying: “That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian. It’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but civilian version, it’s actually much better, because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they’re soldiers. They’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead.”
As with any of Trump’s jabs at military personnel no one was surprised. He has made it a habit, defying the traditional norms of high office.
Of Senator John McCain, who endured five years of captivity in North Vietnam and turned down early repatriation before his fellow POWs because his father was an Admiral, Trump said while campaigning in 2015, “He’s not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.” In office Trump later was outraged when flags were lowered to half-staff and by other honors accorded following McCain’s death.
When Trump backed out of a planned visit to an American military cemetery in France in 2018, he remarked to a staffer, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” He later referred to the 1,800 U.S. Marines killed at the sacred ground of Belleau Wood, as “suckers,” and questioned Americans fighting alongside our allies.
Trump’s callousness even extended directly to Gold Star families, as when he told a widow of a soldier killed in Niger in 2017, “he knew what he was signing up for.”
Trump’s attitude toward the service and sacrifice of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines was best summed up by his long-serving chief of staff, General John Kelly, in damning on the record remarks about the former president as: “A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.”
On a visit to ANC’s Section 60 – resting place of America’s most recent combat casualties, including Kelly’s son – Trump said, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” Kelly would later say, “There is nothing more that can be said. God help us.”
During the 2016 campaign Trump disparaged Khizr and Ghazala Khan, Gold Star parents of a fallen U.S. Army Captain in Iraq, for delivering remarks about the proposed bans of Muslims entering the United States. Of the episode Governor John Kasich said, “There’s only one way to talk about Gold Star parents: with honor and respect.”
The sanctity of military cemeteries should be important to all Americans. For me, Arlington is a much more meaningful place than to some others. I first visited at a young age, being impressed and inspired by the row upon row of gleaming heroes’ headstones. I took in the meaning of special markers like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame at JFK’s gravesite.
Since 2001, however, it has been a place where family, shipmates and friends have been buried. Starting with a Navy buddy who was killed when Flight 77 crashed into his Pentagon office on 9/11, through others lost in brutal combat in Iraq and in Central Asia supporting the war in Afghanistan, I became a regular visitor to their graves and others.
In 2003 my father joined those honored by a place at Arlington. His was not a combat death but he earned a spot in the ANC Columbarium by virtue of a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart meted out at the hands of a Nazi mortarman in a WWII battle north of Florence. My mother joined him there in 2010 as a spouse eligible for interment with a qualified member.
Likewise, my wife was interred at Arlington last October. She is a Navy veteran but was laid to rest in ANC by virtue of my qualifying full Navy career. We will one day share a grave and marker.
Visits to Arlington National Cemetery were always serene and respectful. Every interaction with ANC staff, especially in making arrangements for an interment, were professional and courteous and showed their deep devotion to maintaining the cemetery’s high standards. And they were always clear about the cemetery’s rules.
Then came Donald Trump and his staff, intent on producing a partisan campaign event. They were told in advance about the Federal Law prohibiting use of appearances at Arlington for partisan political purposes, yet they wantonly defied the law and attempted to record video and take photographs among the heroes in Section 60. When warned by an ANC official to stop the Trump team “pushed” her aside. It was a move consistent with the Trump ethos of disregarding the rules and getting heavy handed with people in their way.
The incident was summed up by the Army, “Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds … An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed.”
Not content with the rebuke Trump and his Vice President nominee used the incident in further attacks. Senator J. D. Vance responded that because of Vice President Harris’ remarks she could, “go to hell.” Harris had made no comments about the incident.
I concluded early into his political life that Trump is a charlatan who has added: convicted felon, sexual predator, twice-impeached president, insurrectionist and wannabe dictator to his credentials. Trump and his MAGA cult are a danger to the United States well beyond the January 6th attempt to overthrow the rule of law at the Capitol.
What troubles me is the failure of too many patriotic veterans to share the outrage that should be on the lips of all who served. We all raised our right hands and took the oath to defend the U.S. Constitution. Trump has said it should be set aside to secure his election.
What is it that has entrapped many of my fellow service men and women in the fascist cult of Trump? What is the allure of this con man who is clearly unfit to lead the nation. The same question should be asked about the general public who are in his thrall. But Trump’s open, unrepentant, repugnant commentary on veterans – living and dead – should be cause for reflection and rejection from the community of American Veterans.
Pat Ryan served 26 years in the U.S. Navy. “There and Here” is a column where he shares occasional analysis and commentary on international affairs and reflections on American issues.
Fact check: Donald Trump did call John McCain a loser
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/08/president-donald-trump-john-mccain-loser-fact-check/5741070002
Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997
Exclusive: John Kelly goes on the record to confirm several disturbing stories about Trump
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/02/politics/john-kelly-donald-trump-us-service-members-veterans/index.html
John Kelly Visited His Son’s Grave With President Trump on Memorial Day
https://time.com/5293727/john-kelly-visits-sons-grave-arlington-national-cemetary
Army says Arlington National Cemetery worker was ‘pushed aside’ by Trump aides
https://www.npr.org/2024/08/29/nx-s1-5092087/trump-arlington-cemetery-altercation-video
Why Are Military Personnel and Veterans Supporting Trump (American Issues Take One)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj_7TICppuk
Donald Trump Criticizes Muslim Family of Slain U.S. Soldier, Drawing Ire
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/us/politics/donald-trump-khizr-khan-wife-ghazala.html