Latest news with #MEMORIALDAY
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Contributor: Trump's military parade and contempt for troops dishonor our service
This Saturday, a parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary kicks off in Washington. It will include nearly 10,000 soldiers and dozens of helicopters, tanks and armored fighting vehicles. The 90-minute event is expected to cost $45 million — factoring in the roughly $16 million for anticipated damage to roads not accustomed to such heavy tracked vehicles. In a recent interview, President Trump promoted the event, which also falls on his 79th birthday: 'We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it.' Thing is — after 25 years in the Army, from West Point to Iraq — I (like everyone else who's worn a uniform) can affirm that our equipment isn't what makes us great. Our Army and all America's armed services are made of men and women, not metal and wire. The gear always changes; the Americans who serve and sacrifice are the constant. It's not just the parade. Other recent events suggest the commander-in-chief could use a friendly nudge toward the right way to honor our military. On May 24, Trump gave a graduation speech at West Point with his red campaign hat on, veered into a five-minute story about avoiding 'trophy wives,' blew off the traditional handshake with cadets by saying, 'I'm going back now to deal with Russia, to deal with China' — and then flew straight to his golf club in New Jersey. The next morning, Trump began with a Truth Social message: 'HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY.' Which made his next 'weave,' during what's typically a somber speech at Arlington National Cemetery, seem almost tame: 'We have the World Cup and we have the Olympics.... Now look what I have. I have everything." Of course, neither is exactly the right tone to memorialize those who've fallen. (Who even says 'happy' Memorial Day?) But gaffes like this raise a far more important question: How should we honor our military? How ought civilians properly thank those in uniform, past and present? It can be awkward. I know from experience. I was a 24-year-old lieutenant when I got home from my first yearlong tour in Iraq. I was wearing my camo uniform when someone loudly said, 'Thanks for your service!' from about 15 feet away. I didn't know what to do, so I nodded in response. I was embarrassed at the acknowledgment. Better men whom I served with didn't come home. I'm not the first to feel that feeling. Eighty years ago, nearly to the day, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered an address in London just after the end of the Second World War. He said, 'Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends.' Anyone who's served in real close combat knows full well that when you're fortunate enough to get to come home, you can be proud, very proud of your service — but you never brag or boast. So here's the right way to think about honoring our military: We appreciate a modest acknowledgment — no more, never less — of our unique role in defending our country and way of life. 'No more' because we are not special. Soldiers aren't movie superheroes — if we were, there would be nothing to honor because there'd be no risk. We come to service from among you. We're the guy you sat next to in chemistry, the girl you played with on the playground. We're not always victims, we're not always villains, we're not always valorous, and we're not always victorious. We're some blend of all these things. Even George Washington, arguably our greatest general, who won the war that mattered most and protected America when it was still in its crib — worried constantly about losing. He was scared because he was human, and so have been all those since who've worn an American uniform. 'Never less' because we are unique. We train to get over our fears to fight. We go where we're sent, not where we choose. We trade soldiers' lives for our nation's protection, for objectives, for time, for military value. Nobody ever said this better than John Ruskin. 'The soldier's trade, verily and essentially, is not slaying, but being slain,' the English historian wrote in the 1800s. 'Put him in a fortress breach, with all the pleasures of the world behind him, and only death and his duty in front of him, he will keep his face to the front; and he knows that this choice may be put to him at any moment.' But just as we acknowledge this unique role, we in uniform must also equally appreciate those who make our service possible. For those in uniform aren't the only ones in America who sacrifice. Imagine the parents who send their only daughter or son into combat — would anyone dare say they do not also risk everything? Or other forms of service. My mother was a special education teacher in a poorer part of town and struggled for years to give a chance to otherwise forgotten kids. My father was among the first to join the Transportation Security Administration after 9/11. So I've seen civilians serving, even when it was hard. There are some who misguidedly claim military members have a monopoly on service. This myopia is best captured by a bumper sticker shaped in a soldier silhouette: 'Freedom Isn't Free — I Paid for It.' This claim is as flimsy as the sticker it's printed on. It ignores those who also contribute to the fullness of freedom: journalists who free the truth, doctors who free us of disease, clergy who free our souls, teachers who free us of ignorance, lawyers who free the innocent, and so many more in society who silently serve every day. After all, each soldier is the direct result of this entire community. And while basic security may be necessary for the exercise of freedom, it's certainly not sufficient to ensure 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' That takes a bigger American team. It's taken me two decades to figure out how to respond to 'Thanks for your service.' I now say, 'It's been the greatest privilege — thank you for making it possible.' That doesn't cost $45 million or even 45 cents. All it should ever cost is a brief moment of direct eye contact, a few genuinely felt words — and never ever forget the handshake. ML Cavanaugh is the author of the forthcoming book 'Best Scar Wins: How You Can Be More Than You Were Before.' @MLCavanaugh If it's in the news right now, the L.A. Times' Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump's military parade and contempt for troops dishonor our service
This Saturday, a parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary kicks off in Washington. It will include nearly 10,000 soldiers and dozens of helicopters, tanks and armored fighting vehicles. The 90-minute event is expected to cost $45 million — factoring in the roughly $16 million for anticipated damage to roads not accustomed to such heavy tracked vehicles. In a recent interview, President Trump promoted the event, which also falls on his 79th birthday: 'We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it.' Thing is — after 25 years in the Army, from West Point to Iraq — I (like everyone else who's worn a uniform) can affirm that our equipment isn't what makes us great. Our Army and all America's armed services are made of men and women, not metal and wire. The gear always changes; the Americans who serve and sacrifice are the constant. It's not just the parade. Other recent events suggest the commander-in-chief could use a friendly nudge toward the right way to honor our military. On May 24, Trump gave a graduation speech at West Point with his red campaign hat on, veered into a five-minute story about avoiding 'trophy wives,' blew off the traditional handshake with cadets by saying, 'I'm going back now to deal with Russia, to deal with China' — and then flew straight to his golf club in New Jersey. The next morning, Trump began with a Truth Social message: 'HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY.' Which made his next 'weave,' during what's typically a somber speech at Arlington National Cemetery, seem almost tame: 'We have the World Cup and we have the Olympics.... Now look what I have. I have everything.' Of course, neither is exactly the right tone to memorialize those who've fallen. (Who even says 'happy' Memorial Day?) But gaffes like this raise a far more important question: How should we honor our military? How ought civilians properly thank those in uniform, past and present? It can be awkward. I know from experience. I was a 24-year-old lieutenant when I got home from my first yearlong tour in Iraq. I was wearing my camo uniform when someone loudly said, 'Thanks for your service!' from about 15 feet away. I didn't know what to do, so I nodded in response. I was embarrassed at the acknowledgment. Better men whom I served with didn't come home. I'm not the first to feel that feeling. Eighty years ago, nearly to the day, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered an address in London just after the end of the Second World War. He said, 'Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends.' Anyone who's served in real close combat knows full well that when you're fortunate enough to get to come home, you can be proud, very proud of your service — but you never brag or boast. So here's the right way to think about honoring our military: We appreciate a modest acknowledgment — no more, never less — of our unique role in defending our country and way of life. 'No more' because we are not special. Soldiers aren't movie superheroes — if we were, there would be nothing to honor because there'd be no risk. We come to service from among you. We're the guy you sat next to in chemistry, the girl you played with on the playground. We're not always victims, we're not always villains, we're not always valorous, and we're not always victorious. We're some blend of all these things. Even George Washington, arguably our greatest general, who won the war that mattered most and protected America when it was still in its crib — worried constantly about losing. He was scared because he was human, and so have been all those since who've worn an American uniform. 'Never less' because we are unique. We train to get over our fears to fight. We go where we're sent, not where we choose. We trade soldiers' lives for our nation's protection, for objectives, for time, for military value. Nobody ever said this better than John Ruskin. 'The soldier's trade, verily and essentially, is not slaying, but being slain,' the English historian wrote in the 1800s. 'Put him in a fortress breach, with all the pleasures of the world behind him, and only death and his duty in front of him, he will keep his face to the front; and he knows that this choice may be put to him at any moment.' But just as we acknowledge this unique role, we in uniform must also equally appreciate those who make our service possible. For those in uniform aren't the only ones in America who sacrifice. Imagine the parents who send their only daughter or son into combat — would anyone dare say they do not also risk everything? Or other forms of service. My mother was a special education teacher in a poorer part of town and struggled for years to give a chance to otherwise forgotten kids. My father was among the first to join the Transportation Security Administration after 9/11. So I've seen civilians serving, even when it was hard. There are some who misguidedly claim military members have a monopoly on service. This myopia is best captured by a bumper sticker shaped in a soldier silhouette: 'Freedom Isn't Free — I Paid for It.' This claim is as flimsy as the sticker it's printed on. It ignores those who also contribute to the fullness of freedom: journalists who free the truth, doctors who free us of disease, clergy who free our souls, teachers who free us of ignorance, lawyers who free the innocent, and so many more in society who silently serve every day. After all, each soldier is the direct result of this entire community. And while basic security may be necessary for the exercise of freedom, it's certainly not sufficient to ensure 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' That takes a bigger American team. It's taken me two decades to figure out how to respond to 'Thanks for your service.' I now say, 'It's been the greatest privilege — thank you for making it possible.' That doesn't cost $45 million or even 45 cents. All it should ever cost is a brief moment of direct eye contact, a few genuinely felt words — and never ever forget the handshake. ML Cavanaugh is the author of the forthcoming book 'Best Scar Wins: How You Can Be More Than You Were Before.' @MLCavanaugh
The Herald Scotland
01-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Trump will never escape the shadow of Biden's character
Biden posted on social media May 26: "On Memorial Day, let us pause to remember and honor the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice so we could live our lives in peace and possibility. Today we also honor the families they left behind whose hearts still carry the weight of absence." Trump, on that same day, shared a post that described Biden, recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, as "a decrepit corpse." Classy. Trump's Memorial Day post was the stuff of nightmares Trump's own message on Memorial Day, a day meant to honor and mourn military men and women who died serving their country, was this: "HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY THROUGH WARPED RADICAL LEFT MINDS, WHO ALLOWED 21,000,000 MILLION PEOPLE TO ILLEGALLY ENTER OUR COUNTRY, MANY OF THEM BEING CRIMINALS AND THE MENTALLY INSANE,THROUGH AN OPEN BORDER THAT ONLY AN INCOMPETENT PRESIDENT WOULD APPROVE, AND THROUGH JUDGES WHO ARE ON A MISSION TO KEEP MURDERERS, DRUG DEALERS, RAPISTS, GANG MEMBERS, AND RELEASED PRISONERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN OUR COUNTRY SO THEY CAN ROB, MURDER, AND RAPE AGAIN -- ALL PROTECTED BY THESE USA HATING JUDGES WHO SUFFER FROM AN IDEOLOGY THAT IS SICK, AND VERY DANGEROUS FOR OUR COUNTRY. HOPEFULLY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, AND OTHER GOOD AND COMPASSIONATE JUDGES THROUGHOUT THE LAND, WILL SAVE US FROM THE DECISIONS OF THE MONSTERS WHO WANT OUR COUNTRY TO GO TO HELL. BUT FEAR NOT, WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS OVER THE LAST 4 MONTHS, AND AMERICA WILL SOON BE SAFE AND GREAT AGAIN! AGAIN, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!" OK. That's ... a lot. That's a whole lot, in fact. None of it is good. Biden, unlike Trump, spoke of veterans with reverence And if that weren't enough, the disparity between the characters of the two men was made clearer later in the week. Biden spoke to veterans on May 30 at a Memorial Day service in Delaware, his first speech since the cancer diagnosis. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. "Folks, you know, for generation after generation, that profound idea has been defended by ordinary citizens who stepped up and answered the call," Biden said. "Because of them, American democracy has endured for nearly 250 years. Every generation - every generation - every generation - has to fight to maintain that democracy. Every time, every generation. Because of them, our government is still of the people, by the people and for the people. They are we. And we are still free. And now, we must make sure that sacrifice has never been in vain." 'I really don't feel sorry for him' That same day, Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office. He made false claims that the economy is now better under him than it was under Biden. And during a lengthy bit of rambling, he said this of his predecessor: "Look, he's been a sort of a moderate person over his lifetime. Not a smart person. But a somewhat vicious person, I will say. If you feel sorry for him, don't feel so sorry, because he's vicious, what he did with his political opponent and all of the people that he hurt. He hurt a lot of people. And so, I really don't feel sorry for him." Opinion: TACO Trump? President lashes out at 'Trump Always Chickens Out' talk. Hilarious. Because Trump rarely makes sense, it wasn't clear if he was saying not to feel sorry for Biden because of the cancer diagnosis or if Trump was making reference to his usual spurious claims about the former president's mental capacity. Regardless, "I really don't feel sorry for him" is a generally crappy thing to say about anyone with cancer - period. And calling the person dumb and "vicious" isn't great, either. Character differences between Biden and Trump remain stark Biden, as president, was not perfect, and never claimed to be. But he continues, in the face of a serious health crisis, to speak with decency and patriotism. Trump, on the other hand, consistently claims he's perfect. Almost infallible. And he speaks like a callous jerk who wouldn't know decency if it stood in front of him. Opinion: Russia better start listening to big, tough Donald Trump. He is SERIOUS! With Biden having served the four years between Trump's two terms, the two will forever be bound in political history. But Biden's character will always - always - outshine Trump's. And the person who knows that better than anyone? The ever-spiteful Donald J. Trump. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @ and on Facebook at
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Joe Biden's decency will always outshine Donald Trump's cruelty.
Joe Biden's decency will always outshine Donald Trump's cruelty. | Opinion 'I really don't feel sorry for him' is a generally crappy thing to say about anyone with cancer ‒ period. And calling the person dumb and 'vicious' isn't great, either. Show Caption Hide Caption Biden speaks in public for first time since cancer diagnosis Former president Joe Biden delivered his first public speech at a Memorial Day event in Delaware since his cancer diagnosis was announced. This past week showed Americans once again that President Donald Trump's callousness and casual cruelty will never escape the shadow of former President Joe Biden's decency. Let's look at each president's Memorial Day message. Biden posted on social media May 26: 'On Memorial Day, let us pause to remember and honor the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice so we could live our lives in peace and possibility. Today we also honor the families they left behind whose hearts still carry the weight of absence.' Trump, on that same day, shared a post that described Biden, recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, as 'a decrepit corpse.' Classy. Trump's Memorial Day post was the stuff of nightmares Trump's own message on Memorial Day, a day meant to honor and mourn military men and women who died serving their country, was this: 'HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY THROUGH WARPED RADICAL LEFT MINDS, WHO ALLOWED 21,000,000 MILLION PEOPLE TO ILLEGALLY ENTER OUR COUNTRY, MANY OF THEM BEING CRIMINALS AND THE MENTALLY INSANE,THROUGH AN OPEN BORDER THAT ONLY AN INCOMPETENT PRESIDENT WOULD APPROVE, AND THROUGH JUDGES WHO ARE ON A MISSION TO KEEP MURDERERS, DRUG DEALERS, RAPISTS, GANG MEMBERS, AND RELEASED PRISONERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN OUR COUNTRY SO THEY CAN ROB, MURDER, AND RAPE AGAIN — ALL PROTECTED BY THESE USA HATING JUDGES WHO SUFFER FROM AN IDEOLOGY THAT IS SICK, AND VERY DANGEROUS FOR OUR COUNTRY. HOPEFULLY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, AND OTHER GOOD AND COMPASSIONATE JUDGES THROUGHOUT THE LAND, WILL SAVE US FROM THE DECISIONS OF THE MONSTERS WHO WANT OUR COUNTRY TO GO TO HELL. BUT FEAR NOT, WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS OVER THE LAST 4 MONTHS, AND AMERICA WILL SOON BE SAFE AND GREAT AGAIN! AGAIN, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!' OK. That's … a lot. That's a whole lot, in fact. None of it is good. Biden, unlike Trump, spoke of veterans with reverence And if that weren't enough, the disparity between the characters of the two men was made clearer later in the week. Biden spoke to veterans on May 30 at a Memorial Day service in Delaware, his first speech since the cancer diagnosis. 'Folks, you know, for generation after generation, that profound idea has been defended by ordinary citizens who stepped up and answered the call,' Biden said. 'Because of them, American democracy has endured for nearly 250 years. Every generation – every generation – every generation – has to fight to maintain that democracy. Every time, every generation. Because of them, our government is still of the people, by the people and for the people. They are we. And we are still free. And now, we must make sure that sacrifice has never been in vain.' 'I really don't feel sorry for him' That same day, Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office. He made false claims that the economy is now better under him than it was under Biden. And during a lengthy bit of rambling, he said this of his predecessor: 'Look, he's been a sort of a moderate person over his lifetime. Not a smart person. But a somewhat vicious person, I will say. If you feel sorry for him, don't feel so sorry, because he's vicious, what he did with his political opponent and all of the people that he hurt. He hurt a lot of people. And so, I really don't feel sorry for him.' Opinion: TACO Trump? President lashes out at 'Trump Always Chickens Out' talk. Hilarious. Because Trump rarely makes sense, it wasn't clear if he was saying not to feel sorry for Biden because of the cancer diagnosis or if Trump was making reference to his usual spurious claims about the former president's mental capacity. Regardless, 'I really don't feel sorry for him' is a generally crappy thing to say about anyone with cancer ‒ period. And calling the person dumb and 'vicious' isn't great, either. Character differences between Biden and Trump remain stark Biden, as president, was not perfect, and never claimed to be. But he continues, in the face of a serious health crisis, to speak with decency and patriotism. Trump, on the other hand, consistently claims he's perfect. Almost infallible. And he speaks like a callous jerk who wouldn't know decency if it stood in front of him. Opinion: Russia better start listening to big, tough Donald Trump. He is SERIOUS! With Biden having served the four years between Trump's two terms, the two will forever be bound in political history. But Biden's character will always ‒ always ‒ outshine Trump's. And the person who knows that better than anyone? The ever-spiteful Donald J. Trump. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @ and on Facebook at
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
"Liberation Day" is cancelled: Trump's global tariffs ruled illegal
A federal court ruled that Donald Trump overstepped his authority when he attempted to set unilateral 10% tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners. The U.S. Court of International Trade said that the president's emergency powers justification for the tariffs didn't pass muster, in a ruling issued on Wednesday. The three-judge panel objected to the Trump administration's argument that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act granted "unbounded tariff authority" to the executive branch. In their ruling, they called for a narrow reading of the act and the powers it grants. "The President's assertion of tariff-making authority in the instant case, unbounded as it is by any limitation in duration or scope, exceeds any tariff authority delegated to the President under IEEPA," they wrote. "The Worldwide and Retaliatory tariffs are thus ultra vires and contrary to law." White House spokesperson Kush Desai bashed the ruling, saying that Trump should be able to use "every lever of executive power to address this crisis." 'It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency,' he said. The ruling is merely the latest judicial hindrance to Trump's second-term agenda. The president lashed out at his foes in the judiciary on Memorial Day, calling them "USA-hating judges" in a post to Truth Social. "HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY THROUGH WARPED RADICAL LEFT MINDS... AND THROUGH JUDGES WHO ARE ON A MISSION TO KEEP MURDERERS, DRUG DEALERS, RAPISTS, GANG MEMBERS, AND RELEASED PRISONERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN OUR COUNTRY," he wrote. "HOPEFULLY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, AND OTHER GOOD AND COMPASSIONATE JUDGES THROUGHOUT THE LAND, WILL SAVE US FROM THE DECISIONS OF THE MONSTERS WHO WANT OUR COUNTRY TO GO TO HELL."
