This is a speech that I gave in late September. In honor of Veteran’s Day, my husband, Wayne, and my Dad, I’d like to share it now.
Hello, Salem!
My name is Bonnie Wright. Along with some of the folks standing here with me, we are some of the eighteen candidates running to serve as some of your nine NH State Reps.
I’d like to tell you a story.
Back in 1967, a young 18-year-old was about to graduate from high school. He had his high school sweetheart and many promising years in front of him. As he pondered his options for his future, his love for his country was in his mind.
He decided to serve his country, knowing full well that an unpopular war was going on. He didn’t just “join the Marine Corp” he became a Marine.
He went through their training, and was told he was being sent to Vietnam in two weeks. He used that time to get engaged, plan a wedding, get married and have a quick honeymoon before being shipped off, leaving his bride behind. He didn’t get to see her for a full year.
They didn’t know what would happen to him, but he had made the decision to give to his country. He entered the Marine Corp when he was a boy. When he came back from Vietnam, he was a man.
Skip ahead a few decades. That young man was no longer young … he was single again, and about to become a grandfather. He still had a strong love of his country, and, happily for me, a strong love for me as well. I’m proud to be the wife of this veteran!
Skip ahead another decade. Wayne and I were watching the news when Candidate Trump showed us how little he valued our military. He dismissed Candidate/Senator John McCain, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, by saying “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
On another occasion, Candidate Trump chose to dishonor the service of an American soldier who gave his life for this nation … and was disrespectful of his Gold Star parents. My husband and I were in shock. Candidate Trump had again showed his true colors, and yet, he was still elected.
Even now, Mr. Trump’s continued disdain for those who serve, is reflected by his boasts of avoiding Vietnam and his mockery of veterans who criticize him. Is thishow a leader should act? Not in my opinion!
When I read a first draft of this to Wayne, he protested, saying, “it makes me sound like a hero. I’m not a hero! I just wanted to serve my country.” But, to me, Wayne, and my friends Jim and Cam, my Dad who was in the US Navy during WWII, and so many others that I have heard from, ARE heroes.
And they deserve to be recognized as such. America needs a leader that respects our heroes, not one who thinks they are “losers” or “suckers.”
I thank those who are “always faithful” to our country. Semper Fi!