This Veterans Day will mark the 100th anniversary of its commemoration. It is a solemn, and sacred event to honor all Veterans. My uncle Albert J. Chavez served in both World War 2, and Korea. He re-enlisted in the army to serve in Korea, stating he wanted to “see more of the world!” During Korea, as his unit was on patrol, they encountered a large enemy force, and after a firefight that lasted 8 hours, were forced to surrender. The communists set free those who were wounded, and took the healthy soldiers further north, reportedly to attend a “school on communism.” Being a POW in North Korea had its own unique brutality. They endured forced marches in sub-zero temperatures, lengthy solitary confinement, and political “re-education.” 7,100 were captured, 2,700 died in captivity, and another 8000 Americans are classified as missing in action. My uncle died a prisoner of war from malnutrition, and dysentery. And, like many of his comrades, his body lies somewhere in North Korea to this day. Our devout mother, who is 92, still holds out hope that they will find his remains before she dies, so they can be brought home for proper burial. Unfortunately, we have a man in the White House, who during the Republican Presidential primary insulted, and disparaged all POW’s. In ugly, and malicious rhetoric, Donald Trump proclaimed, “I like people who weren’t captured!” This disgusting, and malevolent comment was from a man who received 5 deferments during the Vietnam War. While our soldiers were dying on the battlefield, and our airmen being tortured in Hanoi, Trump was winning bowling trophies. He has never formally apologized for this cowardly, and pernicious comment. I find it truly a sad day, to see this man preside over the nation’s Veterans Day tribute, after having displayed such callous disregard for our POW’s, and using them for political expediency.
Phillip Sanchez
Mason City, Iowa
