Trump has no respect for veterans

PFC Leo V. Hein of Iowa City was killed in action on Dec. 16, 1944, the first day of the Battle of the Bulge. Leo was my mom’s father; she was 4 years old. Leo is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France, along with 10,480 of his fellow soldiers from World War II.

My family is painfully aware of the high cost of keeping our great country free. It requires enormous sacrifice. Not only from the brave soldiers themselves but also from their dear families who are left behind to pick up the pieces when that hero never returns home.

So, imagine our horror when we saw Donald Trump using the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery for a photo op! The draft-dodger with bone spurs grinned and gave a thumbs up while standing behind the tombstones of fallen heroes. And in the process, his team shoved an army officer out of the way as she attempted to do her job and uphold the law. That was a new low, even for Trump.

At what point are you folks who claim to love our country going to say enough is enough? Trump has repeatedly disparaged veterans. He has called them “suckers and losers”, he said of John McCain "I like people who weren't captured” and he claimed his civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom award "is actually much better” than the Medal of Honor. When are you people going to realize this man has absolutely no respect for our veterans and is completely devoid of any feelings of patriotism or gratitude?

As usual, Trump now claims to know nothing about the incident and initially blamed the officer for following Army law. That same officer has since declined to press charges, but the US Army did issue a rare and stern rebuke to Trump and his band of goons. Additionally, the family of the Green Beret who took his own life after 8 tours of duty and is buried where Trump mugged for the camera has expressed concern and disgust.

What will it take for the rest of you to be disgusted by this behavior? I'm already there. If you truly care about our amazing country and want to save Democracy, join me and vote BLUE in November. The America we know and love is relying on you to stand up and do the right thing.

Robin Cecil lives in West Branch.