Many veterans, including those who support President Donald Trump, are expressing dismay and disgust over his continued attacks on Sen. John McCain, even though the Navy pilot and former prisoner of war died more than half a year ago, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Both Democrats and Republicans have slammed Trump for continuing to mock McCain.
Veterans have joined in the chorus of criticism, saying they can’t understand why Trump would speak with so disrespectfully about a man who suffered years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, devoted his life to public service, and died of brain cancer seven months ago.
Vietnam veteran Terry Barker, who voted for Trump and agrees with his politics, told the Times the president “should let it go. In this case, no one cares what he thinks about John McCain.”
Emperor Seidl, who spent time in Vietnam and also is a solid supporter of the president, said “regarding the Trump comments, I’d like to take him in the back room and kick his behind.”
Veteran Ron Kovic, author of the best-selling wartime memoir “Born on the Fourth of July,” said he had many political differences with McCain but also had a great deal of admiration for him.
“The one thing I always respected was his dignity as a human being, as a man, and the fact that he served, and sacrificed, and suffered greatly. … And he came back from that and he gave everything,” said Kovic.
“These attacks against him are just outrageous, especially where they’re coming from – from someone who never wore the uniform, who never served his country, never put his life in danger, and it’s just unconscionable. It’s as if he’s kicking John McCain’s coffin.”
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