To the Editor:
“Old Bone Spurs,” has called military dead “suckers” and “losers,” and pontificated that prisoners of war are not “heroes” (John McCain). Trump himself avoided service, and in 1998 said his “Vietnam” was not getting a STD in NYC in the 1970’s, for which he deserved the Congressional Medal of Honor. Google it. Last week produced another astoundingly dismissive comment on military service. .

The Trump Campaign has dusted off the Swift-Boat manual from the days when Naval Officer, multiple Purple Heart recipient and swift-boat captain in Vietnam (turned anti-war protester), John Kerry, ran for president against George W. Bush, whose service in the Air National Guard was rife with missed training and physicals, low pilot scores (but high ratings from superiors), and post-dated, altered, or lost military records to substantiate his claims of service to qualify for early retirement to go to Harvard Business School.

Chris LaCivita managed that shameful but successful campaign against Kerry in 2000, and he's back now as the co-chair of the Trump Campaign. The Campaign enlisted VP nominee JDVance to attack the military service of his opponent, Tim Walz. Vance served for four years as a marine “combat journalist” in Iraq. He saw little action, but the point is he gave a portion of his life to his country in the capacity assigned, and I thank him for his service.
The Campaign accuses Walz of the most serious military accusation other than desertion, that of “stolen valor,” undeservedly claiming military acts of war. It is outrageous and untrue, but it’s the way LaCivita, Trump, and Vance roll, and it has worked before.

However, the claim of “retiring as a Command Staff Sergeant” was rightfully called out. Walz had not completed the coursework necessary for that title. The record has been hastily corrected, and we all can use the reminder to scrutinize our claims.

Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has said of Congressman Walz, "He was there every single time we [veterans] needed him”….When the rubber meets the road, Tim Walz has been there." Joe Eustice, a Republican veteran of Walz’s battalion, said of Walz, "He was as good a soldier as you’ll find."

At his Bedminster Golf Club last week, Trump told a crowd that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is “much better” than the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to war heroes who are “either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead,” And this guy wants to be the Commander-in-Chief of our military forces.

Somebody out there, please, given his history and pattern of disrespect for veterans and even Gold Star families, explain why he should.

Someone described Trump as being “empty.” His childhood was devoid of love and affection, a crippling experience creating a desperate need for attention and gratification. His relationships are all transactional, truth irrelevant. Everything, everyone is useful only if they help fill his insatiable need. Our country, to Trump, is mere emotional collateral.
To all of you who served, and to your families who also served, thank you. Thank You.

Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca