Nov 11, 2023·edited Nov 11, 2023Liked by David W Fitzsimmons
As a Vietnam combat veteran, I greatly appreciate your words. I too am a "liberal progressive", and I hope that the way I live my life contributes something to the greater good. Trump and his acolytes make me ill. The list at the end of your piece should be disseminated to every person who even thinks about supporting that jackass. I visit the Vietnam Memorial every time I am in D.C., and think about the loss we as a country experienced with the deaths of 58,000+ of my brothers and sisters. What a loss of potential. What might those 58,000+ young people have contributed to making our country and the world a better place? And I also reflect on the losses endured by the Vietnamese people as a result of the war. When examined historically, from the end of WW2, we can see that politics played a major role in the pain subsequently felt by both countries. Dumbass decisions (like returning Vietnam to the French rather than helping the Vietnamese people build their own nation) cost us and the Vietnamese people a great deal. We need to be smarter. I am not bitter or sad about having been called to serve. I grew up a whole lot because of my experiences in Vietnam. Paraphrasing Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Not an experience I care to repeat, but not one I am sorry I had. Thank you Mr Fitzsimmons, for your wise words and perspective on tough decisions, hard times, and the future of our great country.
Wow...so glad I'm getting your whateveryoucallthis. 'Bout time. I'm so grateful you clearly listed the 10 reasons anyone in the military should never vote for Trump for anything, except a charge of treason! I don't get why a good many seem to do his bidding, it's counter-intelligence. Thank you David.
Nov 11, 2023·edited Nov 11, 2023Liked by David W Fitzsimmons
Thank you for a lovely read, Son of The Master Sergeant. I'll also put my flag out today, to honor those in my family who served, but also for my mother-in-law who passed peacefully on Wednesday. She was the Wife of an Army Master Sergeant who lied about his age and joined up at age fourteen at the tail end of WWII, serving in Guam, then Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. Those at home also serve, holding the fort while their loved ones are deployed, then dealing with the nightmares and PTSD upon their return. Especially tough in the 60s, when treatment was barely a thought. He passed in 1996, and she carried on courageously, teaching high school business classes until well into her 70s - and if you don't think that isn't serving in the trenches, you haven't dealt with teenagers much! Rest well, Mary, and thank you for your service, too.
We learn more than "how to laugh" from FITZ. I was a kid "plane spotter" in NJ, back when small town 'blackouts' were common, air raid drills and rationing began, and neighbors left home forever. I have 'flown our flag' on my e-mail address every since Orange Man came down the escalator. I use language that would have sent me to my to room as I daily curse EDUCATION'S lack of emphasis on U.S. History and CIVICS in this 'Self-Governing Republic.' I was in PUBLIC school in the 1930s -'40s! Why do I know these truths? Why can I write in cursive,? How did I discover my adult job as a U.S. citizen? --- "You Have To Be Carefully Taught." Too many were not. God bless America and protect our troops.
Like you, I didn't serve in the military although my family lineage goes back to before the revolution. I served two years as a Conscientious Objector in a county hospital emergency/trauma/screening section. The people who I worked with were a cross-section of America and they accepted me with open arms and we all honored those who served even if we didn't accept the rationale for the Vietnam war. Violence is not a good path and I have been spared having to resort to it most of my life. These days I am concerned that too many people accept violence as a viable alternative rather than a last resort. People who support Trump threaten the existence of Democracy in our world. Somehow they must wake up to the reality of the threat the MAGA syndrome is to humanity.
I was never a Trump fan even when he ran The Apprentice and built his Taj Mahal…never liked him never will. I will never understand his followers ( my friends)…I will never forgive him calling our soldiers and wounded warriors “losers” as their Commander in Chief.
I don't believe I've ever read a more eloquent and personal tribute.
I also did not believe in the expressed political or moral reasoning for our involvement in the Viet Nam 'police action' nor did I ever question the tenacious bravery of the men and women that served. I was a Navy medic during these most trying times and bore witness to the suffering our troops endured both 'in country' and, sad to say, in country at home.
Today the country is worried about Joe Biden's age, but I dare say that being over 70 years mentally and socially younger than your opponent is of no real advantage to the running of our country. It is sad but true that a fully deceased Biden would do less harm to our country that a fully functional Trump.
There were four hand-written signs sited in my favorite neighborhood — San Clemente — in someone’s front yard that read:
“Celebrate Veterans Day - take a flag (bucket of small flags)
Trump said vets are ‘suckers and losers’. Patriots do not mock vets.
This message in honor of my father and my uncles: John Davis, 1st Lt. U.S.Army Air Corp., WWII, Bill Davis, Lt., U.S. Navy, Korea, Robert Travis, Staff Sgt.,U.S. Army, WWII”
Words of wisdom my friend... My Dad was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge, and we too watched Mr. Cronkite every evening (on our RCA Victor). Unfortunately like most WW2 Veterans, he passed away some years ago, but as much as I miss him, I'm glad he didn't live long enough to see the dumpster fire we currently call 'politics' and in particular the gutless wonders who 'serve' in Congress.
Mr. Trump is anything but a patriot. He had no business being president and proved his distain of all people truly care for our country's health, for our republic. He is his ilk think waving a flag shows patriotism, it does not. Mr. Fitzsimmons, you understand this issue well. Thank you for speaking out as you do.
Dear Fitz ~ Your tribute to veterans, and to THE Master Sergeant, was wonderful and so moving. And your assessment of the EX-president was right-on👍! A perfect message to our country on this Veteran’s Day 🇺🇸. Thank You 🙏! Sincerely, Kathleen (Kitten) Brennan, Pima County Sheriff’s Department Captain (Retired), Ph.D.
As a Vietnam combat veteran, I greatly appreciate your words. I too am a "liberal progressive", and I hope that the way I live my life contributes something to the greater good. Trump and his acolytes make me ill. The list at the end of your piece should be disseminated to every person who even thinks about supporting that jackass. I visit the Vietnam Memorial every time I am in D.C., and think about the loss we as a country experienced with the deaths of 58,000+ of my brothers and sisters. What a loss of potential. What might those 58,000+ young people have contributed to making our country and the world a better place? And I also reflect on the losses endured by the Vietnamese people as a result of the war. When examined historically, from the end of WW2, we can see that politics played a major role in the pain subsequently felt by both countries. Dumbass decisions (like returning Vietnam to the French rather than helping the Vietnamese people build their own nation) cost us and the Vietnamese people a great deal. We need to be smarter. I am not bitter or sad about having been called to serve. I grew up a whole lot because of my experiences in Vietnam. Paraphrasing Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Not an experience I care to repeat, but not one I am sorry I had. Thank you Mr Fitzsimmons, for your wise words and perspective on tough decisions, hard times, and the future of our great country.
Wow...so glad I'm getting your whateveryoucallthis. 'Bout time. I'm so grateful you clearly listed the 10 reasons anyone in the military should never vote for Trump for anything, except a charge of treason! I don't get why a good many seem to do his bidding, it's counter-intelligence. Thank you David.
Thank you for a lovely read, Son of The Master Sergeant. I'll also put my flag out today, to honor those in my family who served, but also for my mother-in-law who passed peacefully on Wednesday. She was the Wife of an Army Master Sergeant who lied about his age and joined up at age fourteen at the tail end of WWII, serving in Guam, then Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. Those at home also serve, holding the fort while their loved ones are deployed, then dealing with the nightmares and PTSD upon their return. Especially tough in the 60s, when treatment was barely a thought. He passed in 1996, and she carried on courageously, teaching high school business classes until well into her 70s - and if you don't think that isn't serving in the trenches, you haven't dealt with teenagers much! Rest well, Mary, and thank you for your service, too.
Thank you for that wonderful tribute to your mom. They serve.
We learn more than "how to laugh" from FITZ. I was a kid "plane spotter" in NJ, back when small town 'blackouts' were common, air raid drills and rationing began, and neighbors left home forever. I have 'flown our flag' on my e-mail address every since Orange Man came down the escalator. I use language that would have sent me to my to room as I daily curse EDUCATION'S lack of emphasis on U.S. History and CIVICS in this 'Self-Governing Republic.' I was in PUBLIC school in the 1930s -'40s! Why do I know these truths? Why can I write in cursive,? How did I discover my adult job as a U.S. citizen? --- "You Have To Be Carefully Taught." Too many were not. God bless America and protect our troops.
A plane spotter! Nice to know you patriot. Vigilant your entire life.
Good job. As a Vet, I love the part about D.T.
Like you, I didn't serve in the military although my family lineage goes back to before the revolution. I served two years as a Conscientious Objector in a county hospital emergency/trauma/screening section. The people who I worked with were a cross-section of America and they accepted me with open arms and we all honored those who served even if we didn't accept the rationale for the Vietnam war. Violence is not a good path and I have been spared having to resort to it most of my life. These days I am concerned that too many people accept violence as a viable alternative rather than a last resort. People who support Trump threaten the existence of Democracy in our world. Somehow they must wake up to the reality of the threat the MAGA syndrome is to humanity.
Thanks Fitz. Great piece.
I was never a Trump fan even when he ran The Apprentice and built his Taj Mahal…never liked him never will. I will never understand his followers ( my friends)…I will never forgive him calling our soldiers and wounded warriors “losers” as their Commander in Chief.
Thank you:
I don't believe I've ever read a more eloquent and personal tribute.
I also did not believe in the expressed political or moral reasoning for our involvement in the Viet Nam 'police action' nor did I ever question the tenacious bravery of the men and women that served. I was a Navy medic during these most trying times and bore witness to the suffering our troops endured both 'in country' and, sad to say, in country at home.
Today the country is worried about Joe Biden's age, but I dare say that being over 70 years mentally and socially younger than your opponent is of no real advantage to the running of our country. It is sad but true that a fully deceased Biden would do less harm to our country that a fully functional Trump.
Well said, brother.
There's a special place in Valhalla for corpsmen.
There were four hand-written signs sited in my favorite neighborhood — San Clemente — in someone’s front yard that read:
“Celebrate Veterans Day - take a flag (bucket of small flags)
Trump said vets are ‘suckers and losers’. Patriots do not mock vets.
This message in honor of my father and my uncles: John Davis, 1st Lt. U.S.Army Air Corp., WWII, Bill Davis, Lt., U.S. Navy, Korea, Robert Travis, Staff Sgt.,U.S. Army, WWII”
Touching.
Patriots all.
Words of wisdom my friend... My Dad was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge, and we too watched Mr. Cronkite every evening (on our RCA Victor). Unfortunately like most WW2 Veterans, he passed away some years ago, but as much as I miss him, I'm glad he didn't live long enough to see the dumpster fire we currently call 'politics' and in particular the gutless wonders who 'serve' in Congress.
Battle of the Bulge. Damn. Hellish. Essential to defeating the Nazis. The old man was a hero, brother.
Thank you! You may not have served in the military, but you are certainly serving the citizens of Tucson with your inciteful columns & cartoon.
Your “Ten Reasons, etc” should be posted in papers, TV, social media sites, wherever, every day until the election. Excellent. Mandatory. Thank you!
Mr. Trump is anything but a patriot. He had no business being president and proved his distain of all people truly care for our country's health, for our republic. He is his ilk think waving a flag shows patriotism, it does not. Mr. Fitzsimmons, you understand this issue well. Thank you for speaking out as you do.
Dear Fitz ~ Your tribute to veterans, and to THE Master Sergeant, was wonderful and so moving. And your assessment of the EX-president was right-on👍! A perfect message to our country on this Veteran’s Day 🇺🇸. Thank You 🙏! Sincerely, Kathleen (Kitten) Brennan, Pima County Sheriff’s Department Captain (Retired), Ph.D.
Thanks for your stories and your logical reasoning about ‘that ugly man’. Keep taking care of yourself! Cathy Warner & Bill Shew