Veterans Rally to Defend Walz After Trump’s Attacks on His Service Record

Over 1,000 US military veterans and the families of veterans have signed an open letter denouncing what they call “politically motivated attacks” on Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate and current governor of Minnesota. The criticisms originate from former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.

This group of veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors expressed their outrage over the attacks directed at Walz, who has a distinguished 24-year career in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He achieved the rank of command sergeant major, which is the highest position available for enlisted personnel in the Army.

Despite his accomplishments, Walz’s official retirement rank is noted as master sergeant due to not completing required coursework before retiring. This administrative adjustment has led some Republicans to accuse him of misrepresenting his service.

Vance, a veteran of the US Marine Corps who served as a combat correspondent in Iraq, propagated the false narrative that Walz deserted his unit by retiring prior to deployment. However, it is essential to clarify that Walz submitted his retirement paperwork months before his unit was notified of any potential deployment, making the allegations unfounded.

Walz enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 17 in 1981 and officially retired on May 16, 2005. National Guard records indicate that he became eligible to retire in August 2002 but opted to serve for an additional three years, including a deployment to Europe in support of the US military’s actions in Afghanistan.

The open letter criticized Vance’s comments as not only disrespectful but also disappointing, especially given Vance’s own military service, which the veterans group acknowledges with gratitude. They also pointed out the long-standing pattern of Donald Trump’s negative rhetoric toward service members and veterans, suggesting that it is no surprise that Vance has resorted to similar tactics.

In their letter, the signatories praised Walz as a former educator who transitioned to politics after his military career. They described him as someone who has shown profound respect for both those who serve in the military and their families throughout his career.

“His service, both in uniform and as a public servant, embodies the values of duty, honor, and commitment,” they stated. As Minnesota’s governor and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Walz has consistently advocated for veterans and military families, striving to help them access the benefits they deserve. He has also supported legislation to improve mental health care access and expand educational benefits for veterans.

The letter highlighted the contrast between Walz’s dedication to the military community and the actions of Trump and Vance, noting that the latter seek to undermine the sacrifices made by service members while Walz has been a consistent advocate for honoring those sacrifices.

The smears directed at Walz echo a similar pattern observed in the past, particularly the unfounded attacks against former Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry during his 2004 campaign against George W. Bush. The campaign that sought to undermine Kerry’s military service was led by a group known as “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth,” and it is noteworthy that the individual spearheading that attack, GOP operative Chris LaCivita, is now one of the co-managers for the Trump-Vance campaign.

The letter defending Walz’s military record, which was originally reported by USA Today and later obtained by The Independent, comes on the heels of Walz’s response to Vance’s attack during a campaign event in Los Angeles. Addressing members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, he asserted that he is immensely proud of his service in the National Guard.

Walz emphasized the importance of respecting the service records of all military personnel, stating, “You should never denigrate another person’s service record.” He expressed gratitude to all who have served, including his opponent, reaffirming the values of respect and gratitude that are crucial in political discourse.