To the Editor:

Let me set the stage for this month’s letter.

Luis Avila, who had completed five combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was leading his team when an IED exploded near their vehicle, killing three fellow soldiers, and severely injuring Luis and two other members. Luis had a leg amputated, suffered two heart attacks, two strokes, and was in a coma for 40 days. He also received brain damage, which left him almost completely paralyzed and in a wheelchair. However, he fought on with therapy and courage, until he was well enough to sing.

General Mark Milley, who was chairman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, heard him sing, and chose Luis Avila to sing on Oct. 1 at Arlington, Va., for President Trump and many other guests. He proudly sang “God Bless America” for the crowd.

After he finished, President Trump came over and shook his hand, then proceeded to General Milley, where he said this, and I quote: “Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded.” He continued “ Never let Avila appear in public again.”

General Milley said this of President Trump: He loves to portray himself as a patriot of the military, but said otherwise in this quote, about his attitude toward our service members

“He is superficial, callous, and at the deepest human level, repugnant”

This man was our Commander in Chief? What a joke! Our servicemen and women deserve the honor and respect they’ve earned.

Let’s not forget that the Trumpster had a doctor sign a false statement that he had a bone spur, just to keep him out of the military, so every time he hugs the flag think of what a real patriot Donald Trump is.

Don Schmidt
Lane