Recently, I tweeted this:
I was a Military Police K-9 handler. I reject police brutality & support peaceful protest.#TakeTheKnee #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/ILB3YRkGi0
— Jon Zal (@OfficialJonZal) September 25, 2017
I have more to say about it than a tweet will allow. Here goes.
I served in the Army from the ages of 18 to 22, but, despite being on active duty during the Panama conflict and the first Gulf War, my specialized position as a Military Police K-9 Handler kept me in the United States throughout my enlistment. So, yes, I’m a veteran, but I’m not a combat veteran … and because of that distinction, I, for many years after my honorable discharge, never truly thought of myself as a “veteran.”
Both of my late grandfathers served during World War II. My maternal grandfather was in the 4th Marine Division and experienced heavy combat on Iwo Jima and Saipan. My maternal grandmother lost a brother and a nephew to the Vietnam War. My father served in the Navy on a battleship off the coast of Vietnam, and an older cousin saw major action in the jungle there.
When posting to Facebook on Veterans Day several years ago, I noted that, at the time, I still did not think of myself as a veteran, particularly as compared to those in my family who served in combat. The aforementioned cousin, who continued to serve as both a civilian police officer and a military reservist for decades after the Vietnam War (including deployments to the Middle East during the second Gulf War), responded thusly:
“Jon, you served. That makes you a VETERAN.”
His response meant a great deal to me. Only through circumstances beyond my control did I avoid going into a war zone, but I was willing to, I trained to, and I would have if so ordered. I made the choice to serve my country, and my country chose not to send me into combat … but I have since come to realize, accept and fully embrace the fact that I am a veteran who served honorably.
I am extremely proud of my time in the Army, and of my family’s long history of service to the United States. I always feel great pride at the sight of the American flag, and have always stood and saluted when attending an event during which the national anthem is played.
And so it was with no small amount of trepidation and introspection that I composed and sent the tweet shown above … not only because of my own feelings about duty, honor and service, but because I’m quite certain that the veterans in my family—including my own father, my aforementioned cousin, and, were he still alive, my grandfather the Marine, whose opinion I valued above most others—would be offended by my position. And, though we don’t see eye-to-eye on many things, I would respect their opinion; they’ve certainly earned the right to have one on a matter in which veterans are being used like political pawns.
You know who has not earned that right? This garbage human right here:
BREAKING: Billionaire draft-dodger plays dress-up, lectures real sailors while wearing big-boy costume. pic.twitter.com/k4WZVGtaMR
— Jon Zal (@jon_zal) March 2, 2017
Donald Trump is a draft-dodging, race-baiting, jingoistic fraud who wraps himself in the flag not because he is a true patriot who would fight and die for his country, but because he is a sick, twisted, self-serving, narcissistic coward who has perfected the art of using racism, anger, fear, hatred, and controversy for his own personal gain. Neither he nor anyone in his family has ever served this country. They are a family of grifters, takers and bullshit artists … Donald Trump chief among them.
Colin Kaepernick and the athletes who have joined with him in taking a knee during the “Star Spangled Banner” are not hateful, anti-American reprobates; they are brave, civic-minded citizens who, at great risk to their careers, their own personal safety, and the safety of their loved ones, are using their First Amendment rights to bring awareness to the very real issues of racial inequality, race-based police brutality, and the need for criminal-justice reform. You don’t have to agree with what they’re doing, but you do have to be grateful we live in a country whose founding principles are based in part upon their right to do it … and you do have to realize that many of the veterans who served to defend that right—veterans whom our so-called president likes to invoke and hide behind when attempting to gin up his base—are offended not by people fighting for justice and equality, but by a vile, morally bankrupt, unfit, unqualified, draft-dodging “president” who defiles the presidency with every embarrassing thing he says, who exploits for his own personal gain the flag we served under, and who then claims to speak for us while assuming we support him.
I am heartened by the knowledge that many of us do not.
worried about getting shot while driving around out of uniform in a country I spent 12 months getting shot at for #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/ZoNsbCBhtu
— Aaron (@mooreprestigue) September 29, 2017
Served for 10 years. Deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan, so people can protest peacefully, & speak out against injustice. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Br1zEPoGsW
— Joe R, Jr. (@Superman_Is_God) September 24, 2017
As a combat vet, I fought Nazis ofWWII. Today I #takeaknee, once more, in solidarity w/my brothers&sisters still fighting 4 equality&justice pic.twitter.com/cmFbIju4SY
— Norman Lear (@TheNormanLear) September 27, 2017
My grandpa is a 97 year-old WWII vet & Missouri farmer who wanted to join w/ those who #TakeaKnee: “those kids have every right to protest.” pic.twitter.com/LurCj7SLUB
— Brennan Gilmore (@brennanmgilmore) September 24, 2017
The President of the United States is charged with defending and protecting the rights of all Americans. When the guy occupying the presidency describes as “fine people” those who marched with white supremacists and as “sons of bitches” the predominately black citizens who are peacefully protesting the well documented injustices perpetrated against their race—and when that President does so for wholly selfish and political reasons rather than any true concern for the greater good of the country he’s supposed to serve—then I believe we must all rebuke him in no uncertain terms.
I’ve heard and read a cacophony of primarily white voices argue that, if Kaepernick and others wish to exercise their First Amendment rights, they should do it at a more “appropriate” time and/or in a more “appropriate” setting. It is a flawed argument for at least two reasons: 1.) A protest that disrupts nothing accomplishes nothing, and 2.) white people don’t get to decide when black people can fight for fair and equal treatment—especially when the injustices they’re fighting against primarily are perpetrated by white people and often are matters of life and death.
It saddens me to know that my stance on this issue puts me at odds with some friends and family members, a number of whom are veterans and/or law-enforcement professionals—and it further saddens me that many, if not all, of those same people support Donald Trump—but I am proud nonetheless to join with the many veterans who believe in Kaepernick’s right to protest, and in the reasons for which he is doing so.
I am equally proud to join with other veterans who share my belief that Donald Trump is both an embarrassment and a threat to the country we served, and that he least of all is entitled to use our service as a means of political cover.
Also published at PatriotNotPartisan.com
Profound, courageous and salted argument. They dishonor the flag those that salute it while fanning racism and race based hate. They honor the flag those that take the knee to protest, understanding clearly that a breach in the spirit behind what that flag symbolizes is a fundamental one.
You man, are a true veteran.
Just a load of bull shit by a fake vet. When you insult my country you also insult my family because it’s their country also and nobody insults my family.
Brandon, in which branch of the military did you serve?
Brandon, if a person serves and is honorably discharged, they are *not* fake vets. When and in which branch did you serve? Those of us who served were trained, and mentally prepared at any time, to face combat. What did you face again?
Proud to have served as a US Marine 1982-85
Jon, thank you for signing that blank check, knowing you could be called to engage at any given time. From a Woman Marine, Semper Fi.
You are a TRUE hero. This article just reminded me that I am proud to be an American. I haven’t felt this pride since last November. Thank you. Thank you for your continuing service.
Good read, I respect your views regarding the “KNEELERS”. We can debate and beat this issue to death. I’m not here to do that. You have some good points. It’s a long winded post coz it is very tough to take side with the “KNEELERS” and figure out what is their protesting about.
The Bottomline:
The AMERICAN FLAG flies with the every last breath of the Men and Women who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for what The Flag stands for.
US Army (ret) MP
OIF1
Disabled Combat Vet.
Truly the issue they are protesting is simple. Kaepernick started it to protest the same thing that sparked the rise of Black Lives Matter: that unarmed black people were being shot by the police with the officers always getting exonerated.
Here is his first quote, so likely to be close to the sincere core of it, about his protest, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
To me, the ideals/ideas of America are much more real and important than virtue signifying symbols of America.
True vet? You served. You sacrficed a lot more than #45. Thank you for your service.
Marvelous, thoughtful and righteous. Keep your voice and profile high. The US (and the world) need just as much 1st Amendment protection as they do support for the 2nd Amendment. Have you noticed there’s a war going on between Number 1 and Number 2?
Please consider serving your country further by running for office, even a local office. We are in the fight of our lives to save this country from an oligarchy whose first allegiance is to profit. This will not be over for decades.
Thank you for your service. You are a Veteran. My Italian immigrant grandmother would say, “Walk proud my son!”
Thank you for serving, my friend!
No wonder, you’re a Liberal. Makes sense now.
Tad, what unit were you with? I missed that part.
Sorry. Also meant to say thank you for serving. I’m Conservative so I can be a dumbass to Liberals sometimes.
While I don’t agree with his stance, the fact that he actually took the risk with his life by serving makes it OK with me that he voices it. He earned the right. What I don’t agree with though is that is, like everyone else, reasoning is for something outside of what the presentation of the colors represents. His is that he doesn’t feel the president is doing his job and representing all americans. That is NOT what the presentation of the colors is for. It has NOTHING to do with any president – past or present. It has to do with men and women that defended this land, gave their life for a greater cause. ANY use of the flag or the presentation of it’s honor for any reason is misrepresenting what it means. To kneel instead of standing in respect is the same as to protest with a “God Hates Troops” that those Westboro folks love to do so much.
For the record, I did serve from 86-92, stationed in Korea and Fort Ord, CA.
The mystery of the flag and anthem cannot be used as excuses for denying citizens their legitimate rights. You cannot have the flag stand in honor where citizens’ rights are trampled underfoot. Doing so may be tantamount to exalting form over substance. You risk falling into that old Israeli trap of worshipping Nehushtan, that bronze sepernt when the Yahweh who gave it meaning and power had long since left. The spirit of the flying flag are those liberties you enjoy. Your liberties and rights give meaning to your anthem and your flag. You can’t have the one without the other. They are complimentary and they both unravel each other’s meanings and together they must float or sink. Taking the knee is a peaceful and decent appeal to signify that there is something fundamentally wrong. And if not done during the anthem and before the flag, where and when is it most appropriate to bring your attention to that tumor of racism threatening your country? The question you must earnestly ask yourself is, but why are they taking the knee? Sir, that question will get you quickly half past the problem. Taking the knee is a result of a problem, what exactly is the problem? Grapple with the old question: but how are the mighty fallen?
Amazing article. Amazing Veteran. You go JZ!
Jon, first of all, thank you for your service. Secondly, thank you for this article! I am also an Army veteran, and I, too, did not deploy during my five years of active duty service. My MOS didn’t deploy very often. I was a 68Q Pharmacy Specialist. So after being honorably discharged, I didn’t feel as if I deserved to be considered a veteran. I still struggle with this notion, from time to time. It was refreshing to read such an eloquently written article by a like-minded individual. I am relieved that I am not alone in my stance.
Jon, first, thank you for your service. I’m the wife/daughter-in-law of Marine vets & daughter/granddaughter of Army vets. My dad felt the same as you. He was drafted for Vietnam, and while at Ft. Hood for basic, the CO found out he was a landscaper. CO had a golf course that needed tending, so he changed my dad’s orders for deployment. About 6-7 months later, Daddy was given a hardship discharge because my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer they said was terminal (the old man outlived Daddy). He never truly felt like a vet, because he didn’t deploy, but, he was ridiculed just the same, called the same names, and when it came time, he was treated at a VA hospital. As long as you take the oath and wear the uniform, you have my utmost respect.
Jon, you said it better than I ever could. Former KC-135 navigator here. I served from 1974 to 1994 in the Strategic Air Command. I sat a lot of SAC Alert with my crew and airplane, but only served short TDY tours in Europe.
Just reading this made me feel a bit better about America. God bless!
Jon I have the utmost respect for you as I do all the men and woman who served and those that still continue to serve this country. I will stand with theVetsThatKneel because I know right from wrong. With that said I vow to family,friends and foes that I
will never kneel to 45!!!!
Jon first thank you so very much for your service, secondly thank you so very much for what you have written here. The kneeling protests were never about veterans or those serving and the loudest voices who choose to frame it as such are well aware of that. I appreciate you and what you’ve said and stand (or kneel) for!
-military wife of 20+ year USN