Soldiers' Honor & Duty - 2020
In response to the published and recorded comments from President Trump devaluing military service & sacrifice over several years, Becky Lourey joined several veterans, retired judges and labor leaders Beth McCuskey and George Sundstrom among others gathered on Sept. 10, 2020 near the Memorial to Veterans outside of the Duluth Civic Center to offer their respectful personal perspectives. Becky Lourey's remarks appear below.
I am so glad to be here with you today.
We are at risk of compromising our Democracy ……. we need to start working together again like we did back when I was serving in office.
Some of you might remember that I am a Democrat …. I became one when I was a Junior in High School, MUCH to the surprise of my parents who were ACTIVE, WONDERFUL Republicans.
And I’m asking today that Republicans remember that time, because I have been invited here to speak today as a GOLD STAR MOTHER ……
…… A Gold Star Mother whose heart is broken once again …...
…… Broken because the person who is supposed to be Commander in Chief
…… a Commander in Chief who SHOULD BE THANKING THOSE WHO SERVED AND ARE CURRENTLY SERVING …... is not worthy of the title.
To hear our heroes:
JOHN McCAIN
And
GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH
be denigrated
MUST WAKE ALL CITIZENS UP
I know my father would be horrified and deeply offended as an honorable
Republican to hear these heroes NOT honored
for their service and suffering.
SUFFERING
My son, Matt, was a decorated Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army, assigned to C Troop, the 1st 17th Cavalry in the 82nd Airborne and he had served two tours in regions of conflict overseas flying the Kiowa Warrior, the OH58 Helicopter, performing reconnaissance for the troops .... an incredibly dangerous responsibility flying into conflict ahead of the troops.
He had served his time in conflict and had been offered a position state side training soldiers to fly that reconnaissance helicopter in DC for the Army.
His wife was so happy that he would be home.
And then the war in Iraq ........ the unit he led would be going. They trusted him ...... if he didn't return to his unit, a younger less experienced pilot would be flying those dangerous missions --- increasing the risk for those in his unit.
Matt felt it was his responsibility, a commitment to the members of the unit he had led, a duty of honor to remain with them …. and that is what he explained as he responded to his father and his brothers who tried to convince him he had served his time and should take the state side training job.
His wife speaks fluent Arabic and had been the translator in Iraq when UNSCOM went to determine whether or not there were weapons of mass destruction in that country. Thus, she KNEW no weapons of mass destruction were found.
How she wanted him to stay home, she had suffered a miscarriage and wanted to try again. He explained that this is what an honest, patriotic Chief Warrant Officer 3 of the United States Army must do ...... it was his patriotic duty to his country and the members of his unit ……. and she understood.
This honor and duty ……. the dedication to a cause so much greater than the individual ……. is something that Donald Trump does not understand.
Donald got out of going to Viet Nam by creating a story about his feet …… and he labels Americans who accept the call of duty to serve "losers".
Often, I thought as I listened to him belittle those who serve that he felt guilty about “getting out” by using his privilege …... but now I wonder …….
Those who serve in the Armed Forces know what
Honor and Duty means
……. to hear honor and duty denigrated by a person who is
supposed to lead
…… a person who should be worthy of the people he is leading
…... a person who should be proud of their service …...
is devastatingly dishonorable!
I am so glad to be here with you today.
We are at risk of compromising our Democracy ……. we need to start working together again like we did back when I was serving in office.
Some of you might remember that I am a Democrat …. I became one when I was a Junior in High School, MUCH to the surprise of my parents who were ACTIVE, WONDERFUL Republicans.
And I’m asking today that Republicans remember that time, because I have been invited here to speak today as a GOLD STAR MOTHER ……
…… A Gold Star Mother whose heart is broken once again …...
…… Broken because the person who is supposed to be Commander in Chief
…… a Commander in Chief who SHOULD BE THANKING THOSE WHO SERVED AND ARE CURRENTLY SERVING …... is not worthy of the title.
To hear our heroes:
JOHN McCAIN
And
GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH
be denigrated
MUST WAKE ALL CITIZENS UP
I know my father would be horrified and deeply offended as an honorable
Republican to hear these heroes NOT honored
for their service and suffering.
SUFFERING
My son, Matt, was a decorated Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army, assigned to C Troop, the 1st 17th Cavalry in the 82nd Airborne and he had served two tours in regions of conflict overseas flying the Kiowa Warrior, the OH58 Helicopter, performing reconnaissance for the troops .... an incredibly dangerous responsibility flying into conflict ahead of the troops.
He had served his time in conflict and had been offered a position state side training soldiers to fly that reconnaissance helicopter in DC for the Army.
His wife was so happy that he would be home.
And then the war in Iraq ........ the unit he led would be going. They trusted him ...... if he didn't return to his unit, a younger less experienced pilot would be flying those dangerous missions --- increasing the risk for those in his unit.
Matt felt it was his responsibility, a commitment to the members of the unit he had led, a duty of honor to remain with them …. and that is what he explained as he responded to his father and his brothers who tried to convince him he had served his time and should take the state side training job.
His wife speaks fluent Arabic and had been the translator in Iraq when UNSCOM went to determine whether or not there were weapons of mass destruction in that country. Thus, she KNEW no weapons of mass destruction were found.
How she wanted him to stay home, she had suffered a miscarriage and wanted to try again. He explained that this is what an honest, patriotic Chief Warrant Officer 3 of the United States Army must do ...... it was his patriotic duty to his country and the members of his unit ……. and she understood.
This honor and duty ……. the dedication to a cause so much greater than the individual ……. is something that Donald Trump does not understand.
Donald got out of going to Viet Nam by creating a story about his feet …… and he labels Americans who accept the call of duty to serve "losers".
Often, I thought as I listened to him belittle those who serve that he felt guilty about “getting out” by using his privilege …... but now I wonder …….
Those who serve in the Armed Forces know what
Honor and Duty means
……. to hear honor and duty denigrated by a person who is
supposed to lead
…… a person who should be worthy of the people he is leading
…... a person who should be proud of their service …...
is devastatingly dishonorable!