Let's honor soldiers and sailors, especially, of course, the ones who died in battle, while being aware that exalting their service above others' can lead to undemocratic and tragic results.
Thank you Dan. I had the same thoughts as I listened to 2 hypocrites at the Memorial Day ceremony. Ted Budd’s message was the complete opposite of his political stance as a MAGA senator representing NC. I know you’ll get lots of hate mail…keep in mind there are more of us who agree with you. Larry Chapman’s arrogance knows no bounds.
This column is a fantastic perspective on Memorial Day, our veterans, and the many meanings of "service to our country." Personally, I'm especially grateful that you thought of mentioning schoolteachers. We've long been under-paid and under-appreciated, but these recent years of anti-educator critiques and blustering insistence that truth and questioning are anti-American have been nothing short of bludgeoning. Educators deserve huge appreciation for persisting in their love for the pursuit of learning and for their students.
Veterans day is exclusively about war veterans who gave up their lives. All kinds of people work together to build a strong country, unfortunately the education profession hasn't been one , as a whole, in the past few decades. But that's irrelevant, what's relevant is veterans day is for those who lost their lives in combat. Specifically. No other sacrifice or service can quite be compared to giving your life.
You keep saying Veterans Day… are you talking about Memorial Day? Veterans day is November and is for all people who served — living or dead. The holiday just celebrated is for those exclusively who died in service.
appropriately Memorial Day is officially observed on the day then-President Lincoln delivered his address on the battlefield on which so many Americans gave their lives fighting for their ideals. Ever since that day the observance has recognized those who died while in military service to our country during a Congressionally recognized period of war during performance of their official duty while present in a combat zone or in transit to or away from said zone additionally those who died after departure from the zone due to combat related causes including accidents and illness incurred in the zone.
Thank you, Dan. This was a deeply thoughtful look at both Mr. Chapman and the dangerous implications of his kind of skewed "patriotism." I appreciated your father's perspective which is shared by any number of actual career military retirees in our area (for example Mayor Copelof, Gretchen Herbert, Roger Herbert) Any one of them would remind Mr. Chapman that the oath they swore as military officers was to the Constitution, not to a political leader or to the crown or even to the country, as the Russian military does (Mother Russia) But your piece does help me to see why Larry is not bothered that the current president "isn't sure" if he's obligated to uphold the Constitution or to abide by the rule of law.
Thank you for this article. I was at a basketball game at Mississippi State and the coach was leaving a prime seat empty to honor military veterans. I thought, that’s fine, but there should also be a chair honoring all the people who died or risked their lives in the civil rights movement. In Mississippi of all places, let’s forever leave a chair empty for Medgar Evers, Fanny Lou Hamer, Emmit Till, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner just off the top of my head.
So thank you for reminding people that the military is sworn to defend the Constitution, not an orange god king.
thank you dan. yes, there certainly is a difference between patriotism and nationalism as is unfortunately becoming more and more evident in this country.
Thank you Dan, perhaps your best and most called for piece. Kind of an "Emperor's new clothes" shot. Not to be unsympathetic to US Marines in general — I've got plenty in my family — but to "Colonel" Chapman and his ilk and his pickup truck, I say simper phooey.
Dan... and other commenters here. It is quite possible for more than one thing to be true at the same time. I firmly believe that people in many different fields deserve to be thanked for their service... doctors, nurses, physical therapists, mail carriers, police, firefighters, librarians, auto mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and - yes - even teachers (I was one, once, in addition to being a career Naval Officer). I make it a practice to offer my personal thanks to all of them when they provide their particular brand of service to me and my family. However, only a few of them actually agree to sacrifice their life in doing their thing... police & firefighters most notably. You didn't come across as recognizing the fundamental risks that servicemembers agree to as a basic premise of their decisions to serve... you.
However, this screed read more like a personal attack on Larry Chapman than an intellectually honest discussion about the reason we commemorate and honor the military members who died in whatever situation the politicians and diplomats thought they needed to do so. The picture of his truck borders on stalking. I'm sorry you feel 'put upon' to not be able to use one the four parking spots reserved for veterans at Lowes. I'm sure you also object to the military discount they offer those of us who served ready to give up our lives in defense of our country and way of life... warts and all.
Keep in mind and reflect upon the fact that those of us who served in the military for whatever period of time we did put our lives on the line to protect your rights as well as people like Larry Chapman... and everyone in between. That also means that we don't have to like what you say, but do have to respect your right to say it... something that Larry Chapman and other conservatives also deserve. As a slightly right of center unaffiliated individual, I tend to just turn off and move on when people on the far left or right spout their dogma-induced crap, but when it turns to personal attacks, I find it hard to do that.
A "screed"? A personal attack on Mr. Chapman? Unfair to show a photo of his gun-toting sticker on the back of his vehicle endorsing his belief in the right of citizens to engage in insurrection? My memory is that Donald Trump—Mr. Chapman’s hero—showed a photo of Joe Biden gagged and hog-tied on the back of a pick-up—presumably in preparation for execution.
There is something painfully ironic in Mr. Poad’s complaint. He, Mr. Chapman and the leadership of the current local, state and national Republican Party have supported a national leader (and Commander in Chief) who has engaged in personal and threatening attacks on anyone, any institution that stands in his way, including independent federal judges (many of whom he appointed) who dare to challenge his chaotic and unconstitutional acts. The federal Marshall Service has been stretched to the limit as threats against these judges have followed Donald Trump’s vile rhetoric, calling them “rogue,” “deranged,” “Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!, " “ judicial “monsters who want our country to go to hell,” “radical left lunatics, etc.,etc.
Even more ominous is Donald Trump’s total contempt for the Constitution and the laws based upon that Constitution. He has made no secret of his desire to set aside that Constitution to which he swore allegiance. As he said in December of 2022 following his (legitimate”) defeat: “A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude [my 2020 defeat] allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.” On February 4 and May 4, 2025. Trump was asked if he was willing to respect the clear language of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment that no person—citizen or otherwise—be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law . . . “ His response? “I don’t know.” (We should not be surprised to know that Trump himself has taken advantage of the clause in the 5th amendment preventing individuals from self-incrimination, in one deposition he invoked the Fifth Amendment nearly 450 times.)
So, yes, the even-handed, fair-minded and always thoughtful Dan DeWitt wrote a passionate article. But it was certainly an "intellectually honest" discussion. He's calling attention to the hypocrisy of those who wrap themselves in the flag in order to defend a political movement and a political would-be dictator who repeatedly has shown his contempt for our Constitution and the laws. If Mr. Chapman and other MAGA defenders can’t stand the heat, they should get out of the kitchen.
Oh, so you don't believe people have the right to oppose a tyrannical government? Is insurrection the right word or have you made it a dirty word? From what I can tell, thomas Jefferson was right when he said "the tree of liberty needed to be watered from time to time with the blood of Patriots and tyrants".
I think you're overreacting to certain details . The big picture is that our current president lied to everybody. Blame Congress because they are completely complicit in our current governmental state of affairs, and have been along with every president since LBJ.
You can find the word “insurrection” in the Constitution, including where it gives the Congress the power “To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions.” (Note that this gives the lie to claims that the Second Amendment reference to a militia was meant to protect a “right” to insurrection.) And, in fact, the only time a president has ever taken the field of battle as commander in chief was when Washington did - to suppress an insurrection. So yes, for anyone who upholds our Constitution, “insurrection” is a dirty word and an insurrectionist is an enemy of the United States. Hope that helps.
As we all know, the revolutionary war was one big insurrection. There IS a difference in majority dissatisfaction and seeing a need for big changes, and a smaller group simply wishing to impede normal government function. It's the best I can explain right now, but I do think everyone knows the difference between upstart rebellions for the sake of disruption and rebellions due to government dysfunction.
By the way, I did not vote. I saw what was coming but not as extreme as it turned out. I won't vote again until the money is taken out of campaigning and lobbying out of Congress.
Yes, the Revolutionary War was an insurrection against a monarchy, not against "government dysfunction." The Constitution is the basic law of our country, and it is quite clear that insurrections against our constitutional republic are to be suppressed with military force. It does not approve of or make allowances for any kind of rebellion, much less one due to "government dysfunction." Those who want to overthrow that system, along with those who encourage or countenance rebellion, are truly and profoundly anti-American.
I would add school teachers to your list of those who put their lives on the line everyday. With more concealed carry laws being passed, this will only get worse.
Seems like teachers would be protesting classroom violence, size and disrespect rather than PAY and benefits, especially in NC where they are one of the highest paid professions after graduation....... according to state statistics. The US nor NC educational system is definitely nothing to brag about. What is this talking about veterans who have died a traumatic death, and then bringing up school teachers as if they remotely sacrificed anything more than any other every day worker? They havent and absolutely cannot be compared. It shows a very childish and selfish attitude. Teaching vs losing your life by being blown to bits? Yeah, some comparison
If you read the comment that I replied to, police and firefighters were listed as putting their lives on the line everyday. I suggested adding teachers to the list because shooting up schools is way too common. Fox News has got half the country fearing for their lives (even though crime rates are at all-time lows), so most restrictions on gun purchases have been watered down.
Doug...I firmly believe that shinning a light on a politician for he/she says or doesn't say on an issue is not a personal attack, no more than shinning a light on the comments and actions of our current President.
Elected officials have a special responsibility to represent all the people in their jurisdiction--not just those who voted for them. Some politicians enjoy fighting the culture war, which sows more division, than finding ways to work across the political divide. If they aren't going to try to unify their constituents the least elected politicians could do is to keep their divisive rhetoric to themselves. A free news media has the right and obligation to voice its opinion.
There’s a vast difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first, nationalism is when hate for people other than your own comes first.
Stand up to hypocrisy or the hypocrites will teach. If we don’t stand up for what is right, then we are the reason so much is wrong in the world.
Dan I would think Mr. Chapman's conscience should bother him about serving in the military. Most of his time was in a building not even close to the front line. Great story just thought it's always interesting about his big talk.
Thank you Dan. I had the same thoughts as I listened to 2 hypocrites at the Memorial Day ceremony. Ted Budd’s message was the complete opposite of his political stance as a MAGA senator representing NC. I know you’ll get lots of hate mail…keep in mind there are more of us who agree with you. Larry Chapman’s arrogance knows no bounds.
This column is a fantastic perspective on Memorial Day, our veterans, and the many meanings of "service to our country." Personally, I'm especially grateful that you thought of mentioning schoolteachers. We've long been under-paid and under-appreciated, but these recent years of anti-educator critiques and blustering insistence that truth and questioning are anti-American have been nothing short of bludgeoning. Educators deserve huge appreciation for persisting in their love for the pursuit of learning and for their students.
Veterans day is exclusively about war veterans who gave up their lives. All kinds of people work together to build a strong country, unfortunately the education profession hasn't been one , as a whole, in the past few decades. But that's irrelevant, what's relevant is veterans day is for those who lost their lives in combat. Specifically. No other sacrifice or service can quite be compared to giving your life.
You keep saying Veterans Day… are you talking about Memorial Day? Veterans day is November and is for all people who served — living or dead. The holiday just celebrated is for those exclusively who died in service.
appropriately Memorial Day is officially observed on the day then-President Lincoln delivered his address on the battlefield on which so many Americans gave their lives fighting for their ideals. Ever since that day the observance has recognized those who died while in military service to our country during a Congressionally recognized period of war during performance of their official duty while present in a combat zone or in transit to or away from said zone additionally those who died after departure from the zone due to combat related causes including accidents and illness incurred in the zone.
Thank you, Dan. This was a deeply thoughtful look at both Mr. Chapman and the dangerous implications of his kind of skewed "patriotism." I appreciated your father's perspective which is shared by any number of actual career military retirees in our area (for example Mayor Copelof, Gretchen Herbert, Roger Herbert) Any one of them would remind Mr. Chapman that the oath they swore as military officers was to the Constitution, not to a political leader or to the crown or even to the country, as the Russian military does (Mother Russia) But your piece does help me to see why Larry is not bothered that the current president "isn't sure" if he's obligated to uphold the Constitution or to abide by the rule of law.
Thank you for this article. I was at a basketball game at Mississippi State and the coach was leaving a prime seat empty to honor military veterans. I thought, that’s fine, but there should also be a chair honoring all the people who died or risked their lives in the civil rights movement. In Mississippi of all places, let’s forever leave a chair empty for Medgar Evers, Fanny Lou Hamer, Emmit Till, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner just off the top of my head.
So thank you for reminding people that the military is sworn to defend the Constitution, not an orange god king.
Because veterans day is exclusively for war combat in a foreign country. Not about people involved violently in internal domestic conflicts.
Wonderful and right on!
thank you dan. yes, there certainly is a difference between patriotism and nationalism as is unfortunately becoming more and more evident in this country.
If there is a difference, it's a very fine difference. Why are people afraid of being proud of your national values or people or land?
You can love your country fiercely, while disagreeing with the actions it is taking and the direction it is moving.
You start making your country and its leaders your infallible god, and that’s how you end up with Mother Russia or like Mao’s China.
Nationalism is just blind allegiance at all costs.
Thank you Dan, perhaps your best and most called for piece. Kind of an "Emperor's new clothes" shot. Not to be unsympathetic to US Marines in general — I've got plenty in my family — but to "Colonel" Chapman and his ilk and his pickup truck, I say simper phooey.
BRAVO Dan! Needed to be said.
Thank You, Dan!
Beautifully written Dan.
Well said Dan!
Dan... and other commenters here. It is quite possible for more than one thing to be true at the same time. I firmly believe that people in many different fields deserve to be thanked for their service... doctors, nurses, physical therapists, mail carriers, police, firefighters, librarians, auto mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and - yes - even teachers (I was one, once, in addition to being a career Naval Officer). I make it a practice to offer my personal thanks to all of them when they provide their particular brand of service to me and my family. However, only a few of them actually agree to sacrifice their life in doing their thing... police & firefighters most notably. You didn't come across as recognizing the fundamental risks that servicemembers agree to as a basic premise of their decisions to serve... you.
However, this screed read more like a personal attack on Larry Chapman than an intellectually honest discussion about the reason we commemorate and honor the military members who died in whatever situation the politicians and diplomats thought they needed to do so. The picture of his truck borders on stalking. I'm sorry you feel 'put upon' to not be able to use one the four parking spots reserved for veterans at Lowes. I'm sure you also object to the military discount they offer those of us who served ready to give up our lives in defense of our country and way of life... warts and all.
Keep in mind and reflect upon the fact that those of us who served in the military for whatever period of time we did put our lives on the line to protect your rights as well as people like Larry Chapman... and everyone in between. That also means that we don't have to like what you say, but do have to respect your right to say it... something that Larry Chapman and other conservatives also deserve. As a slightly right of center unaffiliated individual, I tend to just turn off and move on when people on the far left or right spout their dogma-induced crap, but when it turns to personal attacks, I find it hard to do that.
A "screed"? A personal attack on Mr. Chapman? Unfair to show a photo of his gun-toting sticker on the back of his vehicle endorsing his belief in the right of citizens to engage in insurrection? My memory is that Donald Trump—Mr. Chapman’s hero—showed a photo of Joe Biden gagged and hog-tied on the back of a pick-up—presumably in preparation for execution.
There is something painfully ironic in Mr. Poad’s complaint. He, Mr. Chapman and the leadership of the current local, state and national Republican Party have supported a national leader (and Commander in Chief) who has engaged in personal and threatening attacks on anyone, any institution that stands in his way, including independent federal judges (many of whom he appointed) who dare to challenge his chaotic and unconstitutional acts. The federal Marshall Service has been stretched to the limit as threats against these judges have followed Donald Trump’s vile rhetoric, calling them “rogue,” “deranged,” “Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!, " “ judicial “monsters who want our country to go to hell,” “radical left lunatics, etc.,etc.
Even more ominous is Donald Trump’s total contempt for the Constitution and the laws based upon that Constitution. He has made no secret of his desire to set aside that Constitution to which he swore allegiance. As he said in December of 2022 following his (legitimate”) defeat: “A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude [my 2020 defeat] allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.” On February 4 and May 4, 2025. Trump was asked if he was willing to respect the clear language of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment that no person—citizen or otherwise—be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law . . . “ His response? “I don’t know.” (We should not be surprised to know that Trump himself has taken advantage of the clause in the 5th amendment preventing individuals from self-incrimination, in one deposition he invoked the Fifth Amendment nearly 450 times.)
So, yes, the even-handed, fair-minded and always thoughtful Dan DeWitt wrote a passionate article. But it was certainly an "intellectually honest" discussion. He's calling attention to the hypocrisy of those who wrap themselves in the flag in order to defend a political movement and a political would-be dictator who repeatedly has shown his contempt for our Constitution and the laws. If Mr. Chapman and other MAGA defenders can’t stand the heat, they should get out of the kitchen.
Oh, so you don't believe people have the right to oppose a tyrannical government? Is insurrection the right word or have you made it a dirty word? From what I can tell, thomas Jefferson was right when he said "the tree of liberty needed to be watered from time to time with the blood of Patriots and tyrants".
I think you're overreacting to certain details . The big picture is that our current president lied to everybody. Blame Congress because they are completely complicit in our current governmental state of affairs, and have been along with every president since LBJ.
You can find the word “insurrection” in the Constitution, including where it gives the Congress the power “To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions.” (Note that this gives the lie to claims that the Second Amendment reference to a militia was meant to protect a “right” to insurrection.) And, in fact, the only time a president has ever taken the field of battle as commander in chief was when Washington did - to suppress an insurrection. So yes, for anyone who upholds our Constitution, “insurrection” is a dirty word and an insurrectionist is an enemy of the United States. Hope that helps.
As we all know, the revolutionary war was one big insurrection. There IS a difference in majority dissatisfaction and seeing a need for big changes, and a smaller group simply wishing to impede normal government function. It's the best I can explain right now, but I do think everyone knows the difference between upstart rebellions for the sake of disruption and rebellions due to government dysfunction.
By the way, I did not vote. I saw what was coming but not as extreme as it turned out. I won't vote again until the money is taken out of campaigning and lobbying out of Congress.
Yes, the Revolutionary War was an insurrection against a monarchy, not against "government dysfunction." The Constitution is the basic law of our country, and it is quite clear that insurrections against our constitutional republic are to be suppressed with military force. It does not approve of or make allowances for any kind of rebellion, much less one due to "government dysfunction." Those who want to overthrow that system, along with those who encourage or countenance rebellion, are truly and profoundly anti-American.
I would add school teachers to your list of those who put their lives on the line everyday. With more concealed carry laws being passed, this will only get worse.
Sadly, true.
Seems like teachers would be protesting classroom violence, size and disrespect rather than PAY and benefits, especially in NC where they are one of the highest paid professions after graduation....... according to state statistics. The US nor NC educational system is definitely nothing to brag about. What is this talking about veterans who have died a traumatic death, and then bringing up school teachers as if they remotely sacrificed anything more than any other every day worker? They havent and absolutely cannot be compared. It shows a very childish and selfish attitude. Teaching vs losing your life by being blown to bits? Yeah, some comparison
If you read the comment that I replied to, police and firefighters were listed as putting their lives on the line everyday. I suggested adding teachers to the list because shooting up schools is way too common. Fox News has got half the country fearing for their lives (even though crime rates are at all-time lows), so most restrictions on gun purchases have been watered down.
Doug...I firmly believe that shinning a light on a politician for he/she says or doesn't say on an issue is not a personal attack, no more than shinning a light on the comments and actions of our current President.
Excellent article! I hope it is read far and wide!
Elected officials have a special responsibility to represent all the people in their jurisdiction--not just those who voted for them. Some politicians enjoy fighting the culture war, which sows more division, than finding ways to work across the political divide. If they aren't going to try to unify their constituents the least elected politicians could do is to keep their divisive rhetoric to themselves. A free news media has the right and obligation to voice its opinion.
Thank you Dan.
There’s a vast difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first, nationalism is when hate for people other than your own comes first.
Stand up to hypocrisy or the hypocrites will teach. If we don’t stand up for what is right, then we are the reason so much is wrong in the world.
Dan I would think Mr. Chapman's conscience should bother him about serving in the military. Most of his time was in a building not even close to the front line. Great story just thought it's always interesting about his big talk.