A ‘disgusting display’
The August 26 Trump campaign stunt at Arlington National Cemetery was an outrageous and disgusting display of showmanship, dishonor and disrespect to veterans buried there, and to their families.
For members of the public unaware, Arlington National Cemetery conducts 27 to 30 burials per day. This event had the potential to disrupt the solemnity of those burials in progress for family members and visitors paying their last respects to those whose lives and sacrifice were being memorialized.
The ensuing physical altercation between an Arlington staffer trying to enforce the rules of decorum, and a Trump campaign official, truly reflects a new low in the sad saga of a movement attempting through apparently any means to to remain relevant.
I’ll register my anger at the desecration of my parents’ final resting place in Arlington in November, and encourage all Americans to do the same.
— Susan M. Sorensen, Beaufort
Thank you for veterans content
I want to thank you, The Island News newspaper team, and your contributing writer, Larry Dandridge, for supporting our military members, veterans, and their family members by publishing informative and easy-to-understand articles each week on veterans’ benefits.
Your article dated Sept. 3, 2024, titled “Things you need to know about Veteran Service Officers,” includes excellent information about accredited VSOs, why veterans should use VSOs, how to verify accreditation, and much more. We struggle daily with individuals who fraudulently claim to be certified VA Claims Representatives when in fact they are not. Many fraudulent VA claims Representatives take advantage of Veteran clients and charge them outrageous fees.
This article not only explains the importance of seeking out an accredited VA Claims Representative, it gives the individual instructions on how to find and verify a VA Representative’s credentials. Your newspaper should be commended for strongly supporting our Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, Coast Guardsmen and women, and veterans with accurate and helpful information on federal and state veterans’ benefits and how to apply for those benefits.
— Melinda Woodhurst, Veterans Affairs Director, York County, S.C.
Please remember this simple pledge
“I will not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do.” This simple pledge is required for every incoming freshman at our nation’s service academies. It establishes a minimum standard for honor and integrity.
The Republican presidential candidate has dedicated his entire life to lying and cheating. He cheated to avoid military service (“bone spurs”). He cheated on his taxes, using his shell companies to claim the same tax loss in multiple years. He cheated on his three wives, including an affair with an adult film actress while his current wife was in the hospital with his newborn son.
He is legendary for cheating his contractors in New York City. He has been convicted of fraud three times — his charity, his university, and his fraudulent business practices in NYC. He cheated in the 2016 election and he attempted to cheat in 2020 — fake electors, inciting a riot to prevent the certification of votes, and “Just find me 11,800 votes.”
Not surprisingly, he even cheats at golf, a sport that is supposed to be a true measure of a person’s integrity and honor.
“I will not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.” Please remember this simple pledge when you vote this November.
— Peter Birschbach, Port Royal
