Fifty-five years ago, June 6, 1969, Specialist Fourth Class Joseph Valesko, Jr. was leading his U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division squad on a reconnaissance mission in Vietnam when it came under intense enemy fire. After repositioning his men, Valesko charged an enemy machine gun nest. He was shot in the abdomen and killed instantly. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. Joe was 24 years old.
In 1980, the baseball field where Joe and I played our summer league games was re-dedicated “Joseph Valesko, Jr. Park.” Every time I drive by the field, I get a lump in my throat as I remember my baseball teammate and friend. It does not do him justice to simply say he was a great guy. He was decent, invariably of good humor, honest to a fault, and a patriot who felt that he owed it to his country to volunteer for military service.
Donald Trump, who possesses none of these qualities, calls Joey and the more than 1 million U.S. military members who have died over the last two-and-a-half centuries defending our land “suckers and losers.” His long history of disrespecting their sacrifice and disparaging the military and veterans is well-documented. From his insulting the late John McCain during his first presidential run to lamenting that “my generals” were not as loyal as Adolf Hitler’s and much more, including equating his negotiating the STD risks he encountered during the 1980s with Vietnam service. Trump’s belittling of those of us who served and the ultimate sacrifice of those who died for their country renders him more than merely unfit to be the commander-in-chief. It makes it simultaneously a national travesty, a deep and unforgiveable insult, and a sick joke.
Trump’s Memorial Day message was on a par with his customary holiday greetings: “Happy Memorial Day to All, including the Human Scum that is working so hard to destroy our Once Great Country,….” Once again, he ignored the heroes who gave their lives for their country and for whom Memorial Day exists. Once again, he projects on others what he himself represents.
Apparently, Trump’s disparagement of military service is an attitude shared by his family, as evidenced by the next generation’s biggest threat to the image of hapless Fredo of Godfather fame: Eric Trump. Going his father’s unhinged Memorial Day tirade one better, Eric posted a family photo on X with the caption: “The family that gave up everything to save America.”
Pause, while I attempt to refrain from losing my lunch.
The utter shamelessness of Trump and his despicable spawn is beyond staggering and beneath contempt. This family of criminal vipers has infected America with their bad behavior for far too long. The time is long past when this entire brood of cruel malefactors should have been consigned to the backwaters of history’s rubbish heap. The damage they have done—and are poised to do again—is unacceptable and must be contained. Removing them from the public sphere is the responsibility of the voters.
Dick Hermann
May 30, 2024
In 1980, the baseball field where Joe and I played our summer league games was re-dedicated “Joseph Valesko, Jr. Park.” Every time I drive by the field, I get a lump in my throat as I remember my baseball teammate and friend. It does not do him justice to simply say he was a great guy. He was decent, invariably of good humor, honest to a fault, and a patriot who felt that he owed it to his country to volunteer for military service.
Donald Trump, who possesses none of these qualities, calls Joey and the more than 1 million U.S. military members who have died over the last two-and-a-half centuries defending our land “suckers and losers.” His long history of disrespecting their sacrifice and disparaging the military and veterans is well-documented. From his insulting the late John McCain during his first presidential run to lamenting that “my generals” were not as loyal as Adolf Hitler’s and much more, including equating his negotiating the STD risks he encountered during the 1980s with Vietnam service. Trump’s belittling of those of us who served and the ultimate sacrifice of those who died for their country renders him more than merely unfit to be the commander-in-chief. It makes it simultaneously a national travesty, a deep and unforgiveable insult, and a sick joke.
Trump’s Memorial Day message was on a par with his customary holiday greetings: “Happy Memorial Day to All, including the Human Scum that is working so hard to destroy our Once Great Country,….” Once again, he ignored the heroes who gave their lives for their country and for whom Memorial Day exists. Once again, he projects on others what he himself represents.
Apparently, Trump’s disparagement of military service is an attitude shared by his family, as evidenced by the next generation’s biggest threat to the image of hapless Fredo of Godfather fame: Eric Trump. Going his father’s unhinged Memorial Day tirade one better, Eric posted a family photo on X with the caption: “The family that gave up everything to save America.”
Pause, while I attempt to refrain from losing my lunch.
The utter shamelessness of Trump and his despicable spawn is beyond staggering and beneath contempt. This family of criminal vipers has infected America with their bad behavior for far too long. The time is long past when this entire brood of cruel malefactors should have been consigned to the backwaters of history’s rubbish heap. The damage they have done—and are poised to do again—is unacceptable and must be contained. Removing them from the public sphere is the responsibility of the voters.
Dick Hermann
May 30, 2024
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