For the record, I have the utmost respect for members of law enforcement and consider the profession both difficult and dangerous. Thank you for your service to our country and community, David G. Lord. It appears you have built a legacy of which you should be proud.
Thank you, too, for questioning my loyalty to our country. It has been 45-plus years since being similarly accused by civilian protesters outside the Oakland Army Terminal, having just arrived wearing my dress greens. It is the first time, however, I’ve been so accused by a fellow service member. I had almost forgotten the feeling. Admittedly, it took years of study and introspection for me to reconcile my confusion upon the first occurrence but today I have no such hesitation.
The fact that the Oakland protesters felt empowered then, and that you, Mr. Lord, as well as many NFL players, feel empowered today to protest or accuse or kneel during the playing of the national anthem affirms for me purpose for having served in the military. Thank you for reinforcing my advocacy for peaceful protest and the right to speak without fear of retribution as means to bring attention to injustice or, “given his attitude toward our flag, anthem, our country our Constitution and our veterans,” to a traitorous enemy of the people posing as a fellow veteran.
As for your “right to comment on the un-American conduct by the NFL players,” to clarify I would never dispute your constitutional right to state your opinion on any matter. I do, however, continue to take issue with your position that NFL players should be fired for kneeling before games during the national anthem in protest over perceived injustice in their communities.
While I personally disagree with their choice of venue, is it possible the NFL players are merely attempting to bring public attention to their position by exercising their “right to comment,” just as you have done in your letters?
Jim Riter, Holladay