The letter by Theresa Toni simply cannot go unchallenged (“Honorable veterans do not embellish their service records,” Sept. 14).
Her first target is Gov. Wes Moore, who graduated from Johns Hopkins, was a Rhodes Scholar, served in the military for 16 years (including a tour in Afghanistan), and who served as the CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation. He recognized his mistake in not clarifying his position regarding the Bronze Star and, on multiple occasions, took full responsibility.
Then, her target is Tim Walz, who served his country for 24 years, but is now castigated for one comment made about using an assault rifle and for saying he was a command sergeant major, a rank he did acquire but officially retired as a master sergeant. Walz also recognized his mistake and took full responsibility.
I kept reading in hopes Ms. Toni would have something to say about Donald Trump, who not only did not serve in the military (because of bad feet) but called those who died in service to our country “suckers” and “losers.” He also famously said of Sen. John McCain, a military hero and POW during the Vietnam War, “He’s not a war hero, he’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who aren’t captured, okay? I hate to tell you.”
Ms. Toni finishes her letter noting that, for her friends and relatives, serving their country was honor enough, and to this I heartily agree. However, for Trump, they are simply “suckers” and “losers.”
— Hal Franklin, Towson
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