My grandfather served in the Navy during WWI. My father served in the Navy during WWII. I served in the Navy during the Cold War. My son served in the Army, completing seven combat tours as an infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan. My son-in-law was killed by a sniper while leading a company of Marine infantry in Ramadi, Iraq. He now rests at Arlington National Cemetery.
I do not present this brief family bio in search of adulations or expressions of gratitude. I only wish to establish my bona fides on the topics patriotism, service, honor and sacrifice for the greater good.
The Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of American heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion so eloquently described by Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of another great National Cemetery. It is a place where our nation’s best can repose in the good company of other heroes.
Recently former president and convicted felon Trump used the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery as a campaign ad prop. He was accompanied by Gov. Cox.
I did not need another reason to dislike Trump. I have always thought of him as a small-minded, self-centered punk of a human male. But his profoundly disrespectful publicity stunt at a place with such a concentration of examples of honor and sacrifice has added layers of utter disdain for the man-child he is.
As is Trump’s modus operandi, he ignored the rules of the cemetery and even provoked a physical altercation with cemetery staff who tried to enforce those rules. Gov. Cox’s presence confirms my already low opinion of him.
These two men are not worthy to shine the shoes of the heroes whose graves they trod on.
Keith D. Poe, Salt Lake City