Posted on 07/20/2015 5:13:39 PM PDT by familyop
A group representing retired military officers called Monday for Donald Trump to apologize to Sen. John McCain and all veterans for his disparaging remarks about the Arizona Republican's military service during the Vietnam War.
"We should acknowledge the facts: John McCain cares deeply about our men and women in uniform, and through his actions, he has made a real difference for our troops. Mr. Trump owes Senator McCain and all veterans an apology," said Retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, president and CEO of Military Officers Association of America.
At a Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa, the real estate mogul and 2016 presidential candidate said in regards to McCain, "He's not a war hero...He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured."
His remarks, in response to McCain saying Trump had fired up the anti-immigration "crazies" at a recent Phoenix rally, prompted a strong rebuke from Republicans and veterans group, who rallied to McCain's defense.
Trump addressed his remarks in a USA Today op-ed on Sunday, saying that the media had distorted his words and that McCain had "abandoned" veterans.
The group defended McCain's record on helping veterans.
“Senator McCain will not say it, but let me state the obvious: John McCain is a military hero, and most importantly, he has always been a champion for the all-volunteer-force and our nation’s veterans," Ryan said.
"We can disagree with some of Senator McCain’s positions at times, but we can never say he has abandoned the troops," he said.
He noted that under McCain, the Armed Services Committee had a full debate and vote on the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act — which funds the Pentagon and the military — for the first time in three years.
"John McCain has proven his sincerity and passion for the troops. Leadership is about setting an example and not words," he said, adding, "no one has visited our troops in Afghanistan or Iraq more than John McCain."
McCain last visited troops in Afghanistan over the July 4 weekend.
Other veterans groups have rallied to McCain's defense as well.
"Trump’s asinine comments about Sen. John McCain’s service are an insult to everyone who has ever worn the uniform — and to all Americans," wrote Paul Rieckhoff, CEO and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America wrote in a New York Daily News op-ed on Monday.
"He is very capable of defending himself, but a public attack on one veteran’s service is an attack on us all," he added.
And John W. Stroud, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, also bashed Trump.
“For someone who never served a day in uniform to criticize the service and sacrifice of a combat-wounded veteran is despicable," he said, according to the Washington Post.
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
officers.
Having the veterans come out strongly against Trump is going to hurt his campaign badly. He needs to apologize soon or hopefully get out of the race and let a full spectrum conservative like Sen. Cruz pick up his supporters.
Except Trump never did that, moron.
Donald Trump did not say what the media said he said and damn it I am voting for Trump i don’t like the bully tactics of the Media and Rinsed Prius and his gang.
Don’t tred on me!
Freegards
LEX
> “And John W. Stroud, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, also bashed Trump. “For someone who never served a day in uniform to criticize the service and sacrifice of a combat-wounded veteran is despicable,” he said, according to the Washington Post.”
Tell that to the veterans at the Arizona rally who McCain called “crazies”.
McCain is the one that is despicable here.
This is so easy to refute; to publically embarrass McCain - it makes me wonder if it’s all a joke.
Either they’re paid (a distinct possibility in 0bama’s economy) for doing this or their ignorance is off the charts.
You’ll get your answer boys. And you too Senator. But you’re not going to like it.
On top of that I understand that last night the twitter lights were heavily in favor of Trump - and these people identified themselves as veterns.
Never trust an officer above Field Grade. I am proud to say that is where I quit.
Bullsh*t noted.
Cruz backs Trump.
“Having the veterans come out strongly against Trump is going to hurt his campaign badly.”
Yeah they got McCain elected President. Oh wait.
“He needs to apologize soon or hopefully get out of the race”
LOLZ
I don’t like McCain either but Trump should have attacked him for his liberal political career not for being a POW. Unforced errors like this would absolutely sink him in the general election if he were our nominee.
The biggest insult right now to the military is our dictator. He won’t even address properly the murder of Marines. And you put your energy into a political fight? What kind of officers are you?
It is patently absurd to think veterans groups support McCain.
Their leaders might be that deluded, but the rank and file know McCain for exactly who he is.
Trump won’t back down, because John McCain is far worse than Trump ever described him as.
I fail to see why so many freepers support Trump a man who has completely reversed himself on most issues in the last five years. He can speak in an un pc way but I see nothing in his history to suggest that he really believes anything that he says.
I agree that McCain is awful but attack him for his politics not for his POW status.
And yet you see a hero in John McCain.
LMAO
Liberal ones.
“Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)”
All have retired OFFICER DIRECTORS!
The grunt is with Trump. The sorry ass McCain has shit all over veterans and active duty for 30 years.
First read Attkisson’s account of the media smear against Trump in the sidebar before making judgments.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.