Opinion: Alexander Vindman: Trump Trampled Arlington Heroes’ Graves. We Won’t Forget
Alexander Vindman, lieutenant colonel US Army (retired), was the director for European Affairs on the United States National Security Council. He is now a senior adviser to VoteVets, and runs the national security and defense think tank, the Institute for Informed American Leadership. His military awards include two Legions of Merit and the Purple Heart, having sustained wounds in an IED attack during the Iraq War.
I wasn’t surprised when I saw the picture of Donald Trump making a thumbs-up sign, grinning, at Arlington National Cemetery—but that lack of surprise was overwhelmed by the disgust I felt seeing his pose and expression that was so out of place given the surroundings. He was standing on the graves of our heroes, but seemed to think he was at a campaign event, rather than hallowed ground containing the remains of those who died in combat, in service to their nation.
I think anybody that serves, or has served, would feel similarly. The bulk of my adult life—20 years—was spent in military service. I have an enormous amount of respect for our soldiers and what they do for this country. A strong military is a core component of our national defense. What Trump did, how badly he behaves, what he says, his total disrespect, is felt extremely acutely by those in the military—past and present-serving—and their families.