Donald Trump never served in the military. He received five deferments at the height of the Vietnam war, four for education, and one medical waiver, for bone spurs. We know that in his first term, he opted not to visit an American cemetery in France, and was quoted as saying
“Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” Later he referred to our military soldiers killed at Belleau Wood as “suckers.” He disparaged John McCain, saying McCain was a hero only because he was a prisoner of war (in the war that Trump “spur”iously dodged), saying, “I like people that weren’t captured, okay?” Now, suddenly in a dizzying flurry of social media posts, Trump wants naming rights for holidays that honor veterans, changing the focus to “Victory.” No longer “suckers” and “losers” and no longer veterans, it’s “we did more than any other country, by far,” and “nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery or military brilliance.” In one fell swoop, Trump glosses over our men and women who actually fought and brought about those victories, while simultaneously dishonoring and disrespecting all of our Allies who fought and died valiantly defending their own soil. Just so he can claim victory, say he’s number one, and throw himself a big fat parade. No matter the cost. No matter the wholesale cuts to the Veterans Administration and everywhere else on so many levels. Everybody loves a parade! The more grandiose the better, all to serve as another smokescreen to hide the glaring truth that it’s all a cover for a man who knows deep down that he doesn’t measure up.