Maggie this is so well-written, and I love to see all of the military-connected listeners chime in to support. For my part, I will say I have so very little connection to the military. So it’s an especially good reminder to those of us who haven’t been directly impacted by military service. Sure, I will always have great admiration for and gratefulness to those who have or do serve. But I really need to think about it more often and check in with myself on how I am and can support our military. Thank you for this.
I’m married to a man who’s still part of that 1% - for 25 years plus 4 years of Academy time. And I’m part of that 6% who are vets, having served for 11 years plus Academy time. Nothing shocks and amazes me more than seeing amongst our military acquaintances continued support for a man who would just as soon spit on them for their service as recognize them for it if he’ll get publicity one way or the other. He shows us over and over again how much he absolutely loathes members of the armed forces, and yet there are SO many people currently serving or who have served that champion him as if he’d ever do a thing to help them. It completely boggles the mind when the only reaction I can have to his disrespect is a deeper desire to keep him out of office at all costs. I truly can’t understand the disconnect between my anger and their praise.
well said, Maggie, and thank you! We are so fortunate to have your voice here in our community. (and I'm also grateful to the other folks who have added comments) ... thank you for putting words to the feelings many of us have about what is so wrong about the messages from T & V. (I won't type those names)
Maggie… first of all, I hope you know that I adore you… and it’s not just because your sister and I share a name. Thank you for pointing out that DT does not care about the people he should care about the most- the underserved, the poor, those that put their lives on the line for us. He has consistently shown this and I think I have finally figured out why he has such fervent support. Wouldn’t it be nice to not care about anyone but yourself? To be so self serving that you don’t care about anyone else? To put your needs above all else? I think those of us that “just don’t get it” (me included) simply have values that don’t place self above all else. These supporters will support this valueless, ruthless, classless, egocentric fool because they now have permission to act the same way. They can finally feel ok about putting themselves above everyone else.
So well stated!! I’m very impressed with your wisdom and rationale on this subject and agreed whole heartedly! I, too, am a former military wife! Moving with 5 kids around the world was not what I signed up for!! It’s was so hard! People don’t know what all it puts you through!! But I always respected and admired all the men and women who did this voluntarily!
My father was a Flying Tiger in WWII. All his 4 brothers served! My cousin served 3 tours in Vietnam and was a POW. My brother served and retired from the Air National Guard, one of his sons served with his family!! And I’m sure I’m forgetting some family members!
I had a lot of friends in high school who were in Vietnam and lived to return home, including another one of my cousins. I respected them ALL and know what you’re talking about when you say they were all special and their lives sacred!!
I have no doubt that the publicity stunt was exactly that - and lying about it is exactly that - one of the many many lies!! Do not want to live the rest of my life under that influence again!! Never!!
Thank you for speaking up and sharing your feelings. Know that you’re not alone, and I sincerely thank you and your husband and family’s sacrifice for all of us!!
Thank you so much, Maggie. I am the wife of a retired Air Force officer and mom to an Airman and two West Point grads. I understand that our society has a complicated relationship with the military, from Vietnam to Afghanistan. But it matters to me that people understand that our military serves apolitically and doesn’t have the luxury of deciding whether the Congress giving them orders, or the Commander-in- Chief had their vote. To paraphrase “ A Few Good Men” they stand on a wall and say “ Nothing’s going to hurt you today. Not on my watch.” At the end of this year our daughter-in-law will have spent half of her newlywed life in Bulgaria, reminding the Russians that Ukraine still has powerful friends. They stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and the person asking them to do it should be worthy of their sacrifice.
Well said, I am a former military spouse and I am incredibly proud of my husbands service and am appalled that he and others who claim to support our military can explain away all of Trump’s blatant disrespect when it comes to our military and veterans.
beautifully written and very thoughtful. I have one son in the Navy and a second soon to enlist. I agree with all your points, and the difficult thing is family members who will be voting diametrically opposed to me also thinking that it is a "vote for my sons" because I can't follow that line of reasoning at all
💯 — thank you for this. It’s crucial. I’m a third generation Air Force Spouse. My grandfathers both served in wars — WWII, Korea and Vietnam. My dad served for nearly 30 years during Vietnam, the Gulf War and after the Berlin Wall fell, retiring as we entered “the peace dividend” era in the 90s. My husband retired after 25 years in the Air Force. 1% of America raises their right hand, pledges an oath to support and defend against all enemies - foreign and domestic. We owe them civilian leaders who respect their service, who honor their sacrifice, and who commit to caring for military families. Anything less is unacceptable.
Maggie this is so well-written, and I love to see all of the military-connected listeners chime in to support. For my part, I will say I have so very little connection to the military. So it’s an especially good reminder to those of us who haven’t been directly impacted by military service. Sure, I will always have great admiration for and gratefulness to those who have or do serve. But I really need to think about it more often and check in with myself on how I am and can support our military. Thank you for this.
I’m married to a man who’s still part of that 1% - for 25 years plus 4 years of Academy time. And I’m part of that 6% who are vets, having served for 11 years plus Academy time. Nothing shocks and amazes me more than seeing amongst our military acquaintances continued support for a man who would just as soon spit on them for their service as recognize them for it if he’ll get publicity one way or the other. He shows us over and over again how much he absolutely loathes members of the armed forces, and yet there are SO many people currently serving or who have served that champion him as if he’d ever do a thing to help them. It completely boggles the mind when the only reaction I can have to his disrespect is a deeper desire to keep him out of office at all costs. I truly can’t understand the disconnect between my anger and their praise.
well said, Maggie, and thank you! We are so fortunate to have your voice here in our community. (and I'm also grateful to the other folks who have added comments) ... thank you for putting words to the feelings many of us have about what is so wrong about the messages from T & V. (I won't type those names)
Maggie… first of all, I hope you know that I adore you… and it’s not just because your sister and I share a name. Thank you for pointing out that DT does not care about the people he should care about the most- the underserved, the poor, those that put their lives on the line for us. He has consistently shown this and I think I have finally figured out why he has such fervent support. Wouldn’t it be nice to not care about anyone but yourself? To be so self serving that you don’t care about anyone else? To put your needs above all else? I think those of us that “just don’t get it” (me included) simply have values that don’t place self above all else. These supporters will support this valueless, ruthless, classless, egocentric fool because they now have permission to act the same way. They can finally feel ok about putting themselves above everyone else.
So well stated!! I’m very impressed with your wisdom and rationale on this subject and agreed whole heartedly! I, too, am a former military wife! Moving with 5 kids around the world was not what I signed up for!! It’s was so hard! People don’t know what all it puts you through!! But I always respected and admired all the men and women who did this voluntarily!
My father was a Flying Tiger in WWII. All his 4 brothers served! My cousin served 3 tours in Vietnam and was a POW. My brother served and retired from the Air National Guard, one of his sons served with his family!! And I’m sure I’m forgetting some family members!
I had a lot of friends in high school who were in Vietnam and lived to return home, including another one of my cousins. I respected them ALL and know what you’re talking about when you say they were all special and their lives sacred!!
I have no doubt that the publicity stunt was exactly that - and lying about it is exactly that - one of the many many lies!! Do not want to live the rest of my life under that influence again!! Never!!
Thank you for speaking up and sharing your feelings. Know that you’re not alone, and I sincerely thank you and your husband and family’s sacrifice for all of us!!
God bless you!!🙏💜
Thank you so much, Maggie. I am the wife of a retired Air Force officer and mom to an Airman and two West Point grads. I understand that our society has a complicated relationship with the military, from Vietnam to Afghanistan. But it matters to me that people understand that our military serves apolitically and doesn’t have the luxury of deciding whether the Congress giving them orders, or the Commander-in- Chief had their vote. To paraphrase “ A Few Good Men” they stand on a wall and say “ Nothing’s going to hurt you today. Not on my watch.” At the end of this year our daughter-in-law will have spent half of her newlywed life in Bulgaria, reminding the Russians that Ukraine still has powerful friends. They stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and the person asking them to do it should be worthy of their sacrifice.
Well said, I am a former military spouse and I am incredibly proud of my husbands service and am appalled that he and others who claim to support our military can explain away all of Trump’s blatant disrespect when it comes to our military and veterans.
beautifully written and very thoughtful. I have one son in the Navy and a second soon to enlist. I agree with all your points, and the difficult thing is family members who will be voting diametrically opposed to me also thinking that it is a "vote for my sons" because I can't follow that line of reasoning at all
Right?!?!? That part blows my mind.
💯 — thank you for this. It’s crucial. I’m a third generation Air Force Spouse. My grandfathers both served in wars — WWII, Korea and Vietnam. My dad served for nearly 30 years during Vietnam, the Gulf War and after the Berlin Wall fell, retiring as we entered “the peace dividend” era in the 90s. My husband retired after 25 years in the Air Force. 1% of America raises their right hand, pledges an oath to support and defend against all enemies - foreign and domestic. We owe them civilian leaders who respect their service, who honor their sacrifice, and who commit to caring for military families. Anything less is unacceptable.
Well said. I am anger as well. No one is above the law. Vote Harris Walz!