Dear Veterans,
You are the living embodiment of sacrifice. Your service to this country, whether in battlefields abroad or in critical missions at home, has earned you the respect of a nation. You stood against aggressors and oppressors, upholding America’s ideals when they were threatened. You are part of a legacy that stretches from the Revolutionary War to the fight against fascism in World War II, from resisting Confederate insurrection to confronting tyranny in every corner of the globe.
But today, that legacy is under attack.
Donald Trump, a man who dodged the draft while others fought and died, has repeatedly shown nothing but contempt for the sacrifices of those who serve. He mocked John McCain, saying he wasn’t a hero because he was captured. He called soldiers who died in war “suckers” and “losers.” He disrespected Gold Star families and used his power to profit off the blood, sweat, and tears of those in uniform. And now, reports reveal his plans to weaponize the military for his own ambitions, to transform the forces you once served into tools of oppression.
Supporting a man like Trump is not loyalty to America. It’s a betrayal of everything you and your brothers and sisters in arms fought for.
Think of the veterans who came before you, the soldiers who stood against a tyrannical king in 1776, who fought to preserve the Union in the Civil War, who stormed the beaches of Normandy to end the reign of fascism. Think of those who gave their lives so this country could remain free. Supporting Trump disrespects their memory, because he stands for everything they fought against: authoritarianism, division, and disdain for the rule of law.
You once fought to protect democracy. Will you now stand by as it’s undermined from within? You once stood against fascism. Will you now excuse its rise in your own backyard? You once pledged your life to defend the Constitution. Will you now turn a blind eye to a man who seeks to tear it apart for his own gain?
I know many of you feel disillusioned. You’ve seen a system that fails to care for its veterans, that leaves many of you struggling with inadequate healthcare, housing insecurity, and lack of opportunity. But Trump is not the answer to that frustration, he’s its symptom. He does not care about your sacrifices or your struggles. To him, you are just a tool, a symbol to exploit for his own ambition.
To the veterans who still believe in the values you fought for: stand firm. Speak out. Your voice carries the weight of experience, of sacrifice, of honor. It is time to remind this country what it means to serve something greater than oneself. It is time to stand against those who would dishonor the service of millions for their own selfish ends.
And to those who continue to support this man: reflect on what you’re doing. Ask yourself if this is the legacy you want to leave. Do you want to be remembered as the generation that stood idle while democracy was dismantled? Or do you want to stand tall once more, as defenders of liberty and justice?
The soul of this nation is at stake, and your service does not end with your discharge. You fought for freedom before; now we need you to fight for it again, not with weapons, but with conviction, courage, and the unshakable belief that this country is worth saving.
You’ve already earned your place in history. Now, I ask you to honor that place by defending the ideals that make America worth fighting for.
Sincerely,
R.L. Lawrence