Much has been written about Donald Trump’s attitude towards veterans and military service in general. In 2015 it was Trump that repeatedly mocked the late Senator John McCain related to his time spent as a POW. The former president commented that he preferred those that “weren’t captured.” Considering what McCain had sacrificed for his country that assertion should have ended Trump’s candidacy.

Those working closely with Trump, including cabinet members, have reported the disparaging comments the former president regularly makes, includes labeling enlisted men and women that have fallen in battle as “losers and suckers.” While serving as commander in chief Trump turned to his then Chief of Staff John Kelly and expressed puzzlement at why anyone would sacrifice their life for this country. He asked “what’s in it for them?”

The former president’s attitude may have formed early in life and been influenced by family.

In 1885, Trump’s paternal grandfather fled his homeland to avoid military conscription. He would later lose his German citizenship as a result. Indeed, though the Trump family has been in the United States for more than 150 years no family member has ever been conscripted or volunteered to serve in any branch of the military. This seems to be part of a family tradition.

Though I have never served in uniform, like many of us, my dad and his brothers fought in World War ll. And like most readers I have admiration, gratitude and respect for those that sacrifice for our country. During recorded interviews in the 1990s, Donald Trump compared his avoiding contracting sexually transmitted disease (while dating after two failed marriages) to the challenges American service men and women faced in Vietnam. Today, the most important thing Americans need to come together on is that Donald Trump is not fit for public service of any kind.

Edward M. Dowd

Greenfield