CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In my family, military service runs deep. My father served in the U.S. Army, along with several uncles and cousins who dedicated their lives to the military across various branches, including the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Among them, one is a proud graduate of West Point. Our family has a rich history of veterans who have bravely served in significant conflicts such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq War.
One poignant memory is of my Uncle Edward Cahill, a B-17 co-pilot who made the ultimate sacrifice during a mission over Berlin in May 1944. Filling in for another crew, he had already completed 28 missions and was not expected to fly again. Tragically, his plane was shot down by Nazi forces, leading to his posthumous award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. My Aunt Mary, demonstrating immense bravery, joined the Red Cross and traveled to Europe in search of him. I take this moment to salute the service of my father, uncles, aunt, and cousins, as well as all the troops who participated in Saturday's military parade commemorating the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army.
While I honor the service of those in my family and the military personnel present at the parade, I find it challenging to salute the actions of former President Donald Trump. His military parade, held on his birthday, stands as a symbol of his hypocrisy. Trump has often been criticized for his avoidance of military service during the Vietnam War, receiving a deferment due to a questionable ‘bone spurs’ diagnosis reportedly facilitated by his father, as revealed by the doctor’s daughters. His subsequent behavior, which included dancing at NYC's Studio 54 and making derogatory comments about military service—particularly mocking the late Senator John McCain for his status as a POW—further complicates his military image.
On Saturday, the parade marched down Constitution Avenue, a stark contrast to the way Trump has marched all over the U.S. Constitution during his presidency. The parade showcased troop units in historical attire representing various military eras, yet it felt incomplete without acknowledging the Ohio National Guard troops involved in the tragic Kent State shootings in 1970. Their actions, which resulted in the deaths of four students during Vietnam War protests, resonate with Trump's ongoing conflicts with universities and his disdain for public demonstrations.
Interestingly, during his first term, Trump suggested using the military to quell protests by shooting demonstrators in the legs. This raises questions about the appropriateness of his grandstanding during such parades. One could imagine Confederate uniformed troops marching alongside the insurrectionists from January 6, whom he pardoned despite their violent actions against police officers that resulted in the deaths of five officers.
Many expressed concerns about the parade’s resemblance to events typically orchestrated by authoritarian regimes, such as those seen in North Korea. Even among Republican members of Congress, attendance was modest, and the early rain cannot account for all of the absence. Personally, I found myself longing to see more of the actual parade coverage, as it was not fully represented on CNN. I would be open to the idea of hosting a more inclusive version of the parade on Veterans Day each year, where the focus can genuinely honor the sacrifices of our military personnel without the overshadowing controversies.
