“I am a patriot and it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend our country irrespective of party or politics.” -Lt. Col. Alexander S. Vindman
A Veteran’s Day Message
By David L. Shadrick
Veteran’s Day
So today myself and many other Veterans will dress formally, honor the fallen and eat all kinds of free food. Happy Veteran’s Day! Of course, I say the last part in jest. This year there is another kind of hero and they are under attack. I’d like to talk about these heroes. These men and women who need to be remembered and supported today.
Victims of Rhetoric
Veteran’s Day is a time to set aside political differences and celebrate our fallen heroes. Strangely enough, I want you to honor some of the stanchest conservatives of all time. POW John McCain, Ambassador and Bronze Star recipient William B. Taylor, and purple heart winning veteran, Lt Col Alexander S, Vindman are under attack from all sides of the conservative spectrum. Of all things, they are accused of being secret liberals out to overthrow the Trump government.
Not Your Cup of Tea
While these men that I ask you to show support and respect for are not people I’d expect to see voting my agenda, they are heroes. Their patriotism cannot be denied. They were wounded, suffered untold tragedy and came out the other side. It doesn’t matter to me what their political leanings may be, they need our support on Veteran’s Day, and every day that follows.
Betrayal
As a veteran myself, the idea that loyal Conservatives would be attacked and demeaned by other Conservatives is scary. Suddenly, it’s not did you vote Democrat, but did you vote for the correct Conservative. Any Conservative appointed by Bush or Reagan, is now not loyal enough for our criminal regime. Happy Veteran’s Day from the Trump administration!
Support
As you celebrate your Veteran’s Day please keep these heroes in your thoughts. They have been betrayed by their command. They have proven and continue to prove their patriotism and bravery every day. Send tweets and posts. Pick up the phone and call your Representative. Whether you agree with their politics, or not, no one should ever question their loyalty. Stop the personal attacks on the impeachment witnesses.
Veteran’s Day Itself
I just want to stress the importance of Veteran’s Day itself. This isn’t just a three-day weekend for veterans. I don’t know any veteran who hasn’t lost a friend. Even though I never saw combat, I served overseas. I lost friends. Friends that stayed in the service after I got out and ended up not making it home. Friends like Airman Jacobson.
Jacobson
For me I always think of Airman Sara Jacobson on Veteran’s Day. After my eight years in the Army, I drove a cab for awhile. Jacobson was often one of the MP’s who checked my shuttle going in and out of Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, TX. She was nice. She was funny. She was nineteen years old. She and my ex-wife were good buds. I literally saw Sara Jacobson 5 days a week for a year and a half, before she deployed. They named the South Gate at Goodfellow in her honor, after a roadside bomb killed her in Iraq. I’m crying while I write this. I can’t help myself. Pardon my melancholy.
Final Thoughts
Today will be a good day. I mean I’m going to Denny’s for breakfast, Olive Garden for lunch and Golden Corral for dinner. Enjoy the three-day weekend, they don’t come often. Just pray for our heroes under attack, for the ones we have so tragically lost and those yet to come. Remember to thank a veteran. Just as importantly, remember the service of those you may disagree with politically. We all know there are no liberals or conservatives on the battlefield.
