Jun 11, 2025 2 min read

On June 14, Flag Day, there will be a military parade in Washington, D.C. The parade, with a $45 million estimated cost to the taxpayer, is intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our armed forces. Unfortunately, the parade is being hijacked as a birthday celebration for our draft dodging president.

Our supreme commander did not serve in the military. He received five deferments that kept him out of the service during the Vietnam War – four during his college years and a fifth for alleged bone spurs in his heels. However, in a 1997 interview with Howard Stern he described his dating scene experiences as his “personal Vietnam,” stating that it was “dangerous out there” as he avoided contracting sexually transmitted diseases. So, in his mind he did serve.

Saluting soldiers will be paraded in front of the supreme commander (a la North Korea) as military equipment passes by and aircraft fly overhead. Meanwhile, veterans who had worked in government are without jobs after being terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency and veterans’ benefits will potentially be slashed by the “Big Beautiful Bill” to afford tax cuts for the rich.

Thousands of soldiers who served have paid the ultimate price (“suckers” and “losers,” the supreme commander has been reported saying) while others have returned home missing limbs or suffering from PTSD.

My brother did not dodge the Vietnam War. He proudly served in the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. After returning from Vietnam he dealt with PTSD for the remainder of his life. I only wish he was alive to attend the birthday parade and give him the birthday “salute” he actually deserves.

Daniel Jones

Washington