In the aftermath of the 2024 election, as Americans reflect on Veterans Day, a familiar narrative emerges across the nation as it has every year since it was first observed in 1919, before being recognized as a Federal holiday in 1954.
There are genuine and heartfelt expressions of gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who have served in the armed forces. Social media platforms state the day buzzing with posts adorned with flag emojis and patriotic slogans proclaiming, “Thank you for your service!”
Yet, this veneer of patriotism often serves a dual purpose, to shame those who may not display the same level of fervor for national symbols while simultaneously glossing over the systemic neglect faced by veterans in communities like Milwaukee.
Such dissonance is particularly troubling on November 11, 2024, when juxtaposed with the current political landscape that continues to enable such hypocrisy.
A significant portion of American voters consciously chose to re-elect Donald Trump, a man who has faced criminal convictions, cheated his way out of serving in the military, and whose own generals have recounted his disdain for veterans, labeling them as “suckers.”
Trump’s first administration, along with his two following campaign narratives, have repeatedly disrespected the very ideals that veterans fought to uphold. Yet even many veterans still find themselves supporting him.
The paradox raises a critical question, How can individuals express gratitude towards veterans while backing a leader who actively dishonors them?
Milwaukee, home to a vibrant and diverse veteran community, illustrates this contradiction. The city has a rich history of military service, with many residents taking pride in their contributions to the nation. However, the support for Trump among some veterans reveals the deeper and often unexamined counter-currents in American society.
Many of these veterans are drawn to Trump’s rhetoric, which they perceive as embodying a certain brand of straightforwardness, rejecting what they view as political correctness. For them, his brashness is refreshing, a break from the perceived establishment that they feel – as a result of years of being exposed to the toxic rightwing media – has forgotten their needs.
Many veterans in Milwaukee find themselves torn between their desire to support a leader who they feel speaks their language and the reality of that leader’s actions. To them, supporting him is a stand for their own beliefs, a way of saying they are not beholden to traditional politics. However, the perspective often overlooks the troubling reality of Trump’s words and actions regarding veterans, actions that have consistently undermined their needs and sacrifices.
Veteran advocates in Milwaukee have emphasized the need for a shift in focus from hollow patriotic gestures to real, tangible support for veterans. Honor, they argue, cannot be confined to symbolic expressions of gratitude on Veterans Day. It must translate into actions that ensure veterans receive the healthcare, housing, and respect they deserve. Supporting leaders who undermine veterans’ rights and services, they contend, directly contradicts the very essence of what it means to honor their sacrifice.
NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem in a respectful protest of police brutality against Black Americans.
“In a military funeral, after the flag is taken off the casket of the fallen military member, it is smartly folded 13 times and then presented to the parents, spouse, or child of the fallen member by a fellow service member while kneeling. The two decided that kneeling for the flag would symbolize his reverence for those that paid the ultimate sacrifice while still allowing Colin to peacefully protest the injustices he saw.”
By October 2017, he was swiftly labeled unpatriotic and accused of politicizing football. His peaceful and personal demonstration, intended to raise awareness about racial injustice, ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many demanding that he be punished for his dissent.
During that time in Milwaukee, the local contradictions were striking and hypocritical in how patriotism was defined. Countless football enthusiasts drove for up to two hours from Milwaukee to Green Bay and another two back, enduring the bitter cold, to attend a Packers game. They stood for up to 2 minutes during the national anthem, proudly declaring their love for their country with hoots of nationalism. The irony of their actions, however, remains hard to ignore.
On Sunday, November 5, 2017, the Green Bay Packers faced off against the Detroit Lions. The Packers lost the game 30-17. The temperature at Lambeau Field around game time was 49°F, with a mostly cloudy sky, a light breeze from the northwest at 5 mph, and no precipitation.
Despite the show of devotion to the flag, those same individuals who proclaimed to be more patriotic than anyone who supported Kaepernick and demanded that veterans be honored were nowhere to be seen on the streets of downtown Milwaukee the day before, on Saturday, November 4.
That day, the city experienced a high of 48°F. It too a day that was mostly cloudy with a light breeze from the northwest, but there was minor precipitation as the result of a Lake effect. November 4, 2017, was also Milwaukee’s 54th Annual Veterans Day Parade.
Older veterans marched through the streets of Milwaukee, giving up their time to remind the public about the sacrifices they had made and celebrate together the freedoms they helped the nation keep.
On Monday, November 6, when confronted about their absence from attending the Veterans Day parade, many responded that it was too cold to stand outside or that the 15-minute drive from Brookfield to downtown was too long.
Standing outside for a couple of hours in frigid temperatures to salute the flag during a sports game 125 miles from home was a more convenient way to demonstrate their patriotism than taking a few moments to acknowledge the veterans who had actually fought to protect that very flag.
On November 5, their two minutes of patriotism was the standard by which they judged their fellow Americans. But on November 4, any expression of honoring the veterans who they demanded to be honored and respected was just a bit too inconvenient.
Fast-forward to 2024 and Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who publicly endorsed former Trump and all his terrible rhetoric, faced no repercussions. He was not blackballed from the NFL, nor was he forced out of the league because of his outspoken political stance. He is still a member of a Super Bowl-winning team, and his career continues without interruption.
Meanwhile, Kaepernick, whose protest was non-violent and intended to spark conversation about systemic racism and police brutality, remains a figure of contention — a symbol of how patriotism in America is wielded not as a universal value, but as a tool for political convenience.
The exaltation of veterans often seems to be less about genuine respect and more about political posturing. The same individuals who rush to wrap themselves in the flag during sporting events seem to forget that true patriotism is not about standing for a song. It is about standing for the ideals of justice, equality, and respect for all. If we only honor our veterans when it suits our political agendas, we undermine the very freedoms they fought to protect.
Patriotism should not be a selective practice, applied only for personal gain. True patriotism is reflected in our actions, how Americans treat one another, how we as Americans engage with the issues that affect our society, and how we honor the diverse ways in which we all contribute to the fabric of this country.
Whether it is standing for the national anthem or standing beside a veteran, genuine patriotism demands more than mere symbols.
The impact of such disconnect is palpable in Milwaukee. While many residents express pride in the city’s military heritage, they also grapple with the stark reality of inadequate support for veterans. Issues such as homelessness, mental health crises, and insufficient access to health care plague the community.
Despite the heartfelt tributes paid during Veterans Day, tangible support often lags behind. Community leaders argue that the rampant celebration of veterans can sometimes overshadow the pressing need for comprehensive programs that address their struggles.
The phenomenon of “patriotism as a weapon” is becoming increasingly common in American discourse. The approach allows individuals to create a false sense of moral superiority by publicly proclaiming their love for veterans while simultaneously supporting leaders who openly disrespect them.
In doing so, they can feel morally righteous without ever needing to make any real sacrifices or meaningful changes. It is a way of adopting the symbols of patriotism — such as honoring veterans — without taking on the responsibilities or actions that true respect for those who served requires.
Veterans Day 2024 offers a critical opportunity for reflection. Residents must consider whether their expressions of gratitude extend beyond words and into actions that genuinely uplift veterans. In doing so, Milwaukee can begin to transform the rhetoric of patriotism into a robust commitment to supporting those who have sacrificed for the nation. And not just on a single day of remembrance, but every day of the year.
Lee Matz
Aaron LA Photo
