By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Veterans Condemn Trump Campaign's Attacks on Tim Walz's Military Service
Over 1,000 veterans and military family members have signed an open letter expressing their dismay at what they describe as politically motivated attacks by Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, on the military service of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.
The letter, supported by the left leaning veterans advocacy group VoteVets, criticizes the Trump campaign's focus on Walz's 24 year record in the Army National Guard. JD Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio and fellow veteran, has specifically targeted Walz's retirement in 2005, prior to his battalion's deployment to Iraq.
"JD Vance’s recent comments attacking Governor Walz’s service record are disrespectful and deeply disappointing, especially given Vance’s own service which we are also profoundly grateful for," the letter states. "But given Donald Trump’s long record of expressing disdain for service members, veterans, and their families, it’s unsurprising that his running mate has stooped to such lows."
Tim Walz, the current governor of Minnesota and the recent vice presidential pick by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, joined the National Guard at 17 in 1981 and served until 2005. Walz has stated that he retired from the Guard to run for Congress, a campaign that was ultimately successful in 2006.
According to the Minnesota National Guard, Walz’s unit received orders to mobilize for Iraq in July 2005, nearly two months after his retirement. However, a press release from Walz's 2005 congressional campaign suggested that he was aware of the potential deployment as early as March of that year.
JD Vance has criticized Walz's decision, stating last week, "When the United States of America asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did. I did what they asked me to do, and I did it honorably, and I'm very proud of that service. When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the army and allowed his unit to go without him."
Vance further accused Walz of "stolen valor," urging him not to "pretend to be something you're not."
In response, the letter signed by 1,048 veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors strongly defended Walz's record, calling him a "beacon of respect and support" for the military community. The signatories, which include retired Maj. Gen. Randy Manner and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Brenda Sue Fulton, praised Walz's long service in the National Guard and his commitment to veterans' issues.
"Governor Walz, a 24 year veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, has demonstrated throughout his career a profound respect for those who serve, as well as their families," the letter states. "His service, both in uniform and as a public servant, embodies the values of duty, honor, and commitment." The letter contrasts Walz's record with that of Trump and Vance, accusing them of attempting to diminish the sacrifices of military personnel and neglecting their obligations to veterans.
The Trump campaign has also accused Walz of exaggerating his military experience, pointing to a past comment in which Walz said, "We can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war is the only place where those weapons are at." While Walz was never deployed in combat, his campaign clarified that he handled military grade weapons and believes such weapons should be restricted to trained military personnel.
Vance's attacks on Walz have drawn comparisons to the "Swift Boat" campaign against Democrat John Kerry during the 2004 presidential race, which also questioned a veteran's military record. The Swift Boat campaign was led by Chris LaCivita, who is currently a senior adviser to the Trump campaign. The Minnesota National Guard released further details about Walz’s service, confirming that he was eligible to retire three years before his actual departure in 2005, during which time he completed a deployment to Europe.
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