To me, a veteran is someone who has made the ultimate sacrifice. We pledge our lives and well-being to protect the Constitution and support freedom and democracy worldwide.
Since WWII, more than 100,000 U.S. troops have died in war, with many more wounded, permanently injured or sickened. The sacrifices of our veterans — physical and mental — have led to elevated levels of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD, with suicide rates far above the general public. These sacrifices deserve our utmost respect and admiration.
As a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran, I can say the obligatory “thank you for your service” is better than the hatred many of us faced upon returning home. But the phrase rings hollow when we elect leaders who disrespect veterans and their sacrifices. We, as veterans, deserve more than just words of gratitude. We deserve respect and support. This is not a privilege but a right earned through our service.
Now, more than ever, my fellow veterans must raise their voices. Your voice is not just crucial; it is integral to the cause. I urge you to contact your representative, senator and the White House, and demand that they uphold their promises to protect veterans’ benefits and defend democracy both at home and abroad. In these perilous times, silence is not an option.
Demonstrated disrespect
The 591 Vietnam War POWs who suffered torture and deprivation while refusing to betray our country were heroes. I — along with many squadron mates, I believe — would have preferred dying in a smoking hole to being a POW. Those who have died in service were not “losers and suckers,” and anyone who believes that owes an apology to the families of the fallen.
The more insidious attack on veterans comes from our government — by elected officials undermining the benefits we earned. The current VA leadership and budget proposals would reduce VA staffing by 80,000, rolling back to 2019 levels. Why did staffing increase after 2019? Because of the PACT Act, which provides healthcare and compensation to those exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan — the Agent Orange of our time.
Some in Congress labeled the PACT Act a “gimmick” and argued it was too expensive, forcing veterans to beg for funding every year. Too many leaders know the cost of everything and the value of nothing — unless it benefits them.
The proposed cuts to the VA and other agencies by DOGE (an invented bureaucracy meant to simulate cost savings) are dangerously misguided. These incompetent cuts lack operational knowledge. DOGE is a propaganda tool that avoids meaningful budget reforms, preventing Congress from making informed spending decisions.
Congress needs to reaffirm its authority over the budget. Anything less erodes constitutional checks and balances, pushing us toward authoritarianism.
Threats to national security
Veterans also care about national security, and our country is in danger. The Trump/Vance confrontation with Zelensky was a national disgrace — the first step in betraying Ukraine and empowering Moscow. The pause on military aid and intelligence put Ukraine in grave danger, risking thousands of lives and weakening its position at the negotiating table. This betrayal is a gift to Russia and threatens the security framework we’ve upheld for 80 years.
If anyone had predicted a U.S. president, especially a Republican, would behave this way, they’d have been dismissed as crazy. We rebuilt Europe, founded NATO and forced the Soviets to “tear down that wall.” Now, Reagan, Eisenhower and millions of patriotic Americans are rolling in their graves.
Is Trump a modern-day Manchurian Candidate? Are his billionaire acolytes willing to hand the world to dictators for personal gain? His actions disgrace America and embolden the Axis of Despots. The world is watching. As French politician Claude Malhuret said, “We were at war with a dictator, now we are at war with a dictator backed by a traitor.”
Congress must end this betrayal by fully funding Ukraine’s defense and ensuring the timely use of those funds in upcoming budget bills.
The latest fiasco under the Trump administration, in which current military attack targeting and timing information was exposed on an unsecured channel, potentially put aircrews in danger.
Elon Musk exemplifies this betrayal. When Senator Mark Kelly called out the administration for disrespecting President Zelensky and pausing military and intelligence support, Musk accused him of treason. Kelly’s response was clear:
“Traitor? Elon, if you don’t understand that defending freedom is a fundamental principle of what makes America great and keeps us safe, maybe you should leave it to those of us who do.”
So, who is the real traitor?
(Glenn Wright) Glenn Wright is the former Democratic candidate for Congressional District 3. He volunteered for two tours in Vietnam as a forward air controller, flying over 250 missions and providing guidance and support to U.S. Special Forces and Vietnamese/Cambodian forces.
Glenn Wright is the former Democratic candidate for Congressional District 3. He volunteered for two tours in Vietnam as a forward air controller, flying over 250 missions and providing guidance and support to U.S. Special Forces and Vietnamese/Cambodian forces. He is also a former Summit County Councilman and Utah Association of Counties member. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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