The definition of the word “delegitimize” is to “withdraw legitimate status or authority from someone or something.”

My first trip home from Vietnam was uneventful. My brother and I arrived at LAX Airport late at night. A police officer told us we had just missed the anti-war protesters who greeted and harassed returning servicemen, sometimes throwing pig’s blood on them. If that had happened to us, we would have probably spent some time in jail! But I digress.

My last return home was on a medical evacuation flight. No drama this time. I received wonderful medical care at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Many months later, after being medically retired, I returned to my hometown of Toledo, Ohio, where there were some folks who clearly harbored anti-war attitudes. There was the elderly lady at church who, as I was hobbling up the steps on my crutches, stopped to tell me I should have died in Vietnam. I skipped church that morning.

Fast forward to Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). America learned from Vietnam. We would NEVER again send our warriors into harm’s way without our prayers and support.

After 9/11, I found myself traveling across the country sharing my story of God’s mercy in my life in Vietnam. I traveled through Atlanta as well as other flight hubs. There were always men and women in camouflage either going overseas or returning. My friend, Mark Alexander, provided me with hundreds (possibly thousands) of “Shields of Strength” (SOS) dog tags to give to our warriors. I had an opener: “I’m a Vietnam veteran and I am giving you this to remind you that others like me are praying for you until everyone comes home!”

I never had a warrior refuse to accept one. Many would thank me for my service. At times I would choke up when telling them we were proud of them and were praying for them every day! My favorite SOS has Joshua 1:9 on the back: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Today, our military is once again being subjected to the whims of elected officials. Political correctness is in vogue once again. Our military has barely recovered from the damage inflicted by the Obama administration. Our new secretary of defense has locked down his entire department to root out racism and white supremacy in the ranks. Who knew?

The National Guard has been activated to fight the “Battle of Capitol Hill.” Nearly three divisions of troops, 26,000-plus, were activated to defend the Capitol and Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others who “nearly died” in the insurrection on January 6. I may have missed something, but the only person killed was a protester shot by a Capitol Police officer. Yes, she shouldn’t have been there, but she was unarmed!

After the inauguration, we’re now down to the troop level of Iraq and Afghanistan combined (5,200 troops). Pelosi is considering “participation ribbons” for our warriors. Using America’s warriors as political props is disgusting! Turning our nation’s capital into a political “Green Zone” is also disgusting!

America’s military’s mission is simple: Keep America safe and win wars. It’s not a petri dish for leftist social experimentation. Our warriors deserve better from our political leaders who, up until January 6, didn’t really value our warriors. What changed?

Something to think about?