To the editor: Whenever I am asked about my service in Vietnam in 1971-72, I point out that I never saw combat. This reflects the respect most veterans have for the heroes who served on the front lines. (“This is what makes JD Vance’s attempt to ‘cheat’ Tim Walz’s military service so pathetic,” Opinion, August 11).
I'm not surprised that opinion columnist Robin Abcarian doesn't appreciate the significance of this distinction, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate and Army National Guard veteran, certainly does.
It is therefore legitimate to criticise him for being disingenuous about the limits of his own service.
Robert Loewen, Laguna Beach
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To the editor: As a Vietnam War veteran, I have always been disgusted that former President Trump avoided the draft based on an alleged condition (heel spurs), which he surely would have ridiculed if anyone but him had used that same “get out of the draft” card.
Even former President George W. Bush put on a uniform, though he used connections that only the very privileged had to get into a National Guard unit. This important mission guaranteed that he would not be sent to Vietnam.
But just as Bush supporters attacked war hero and Democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004, Trump and Vance have attacked Walz's military record.
Trump has in the past demonstrated his ultimate brazenness with his blatant denigration of war heroes, reportedly calling those killed in combat “losers” and “suckers” and opposing the inclusion of wounded veterans in parades.
Augustin Medina, South Pasadena
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To the editor: Having served as a conscript in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, I was assigned the task of operating a typewriter on a daily basis. Even so, I had been trained in the use of weapons of war and was told that I could have been called upon to use them at any time during my conscription.
Bearing arms “in war,” as Walz said of his own military service, simply refers to the duty of men and women in uniform during wartime.
Ronald Bitzer, North Hollywood
