Veterans Criticize Senate Candidate for Offensive Remarks About Military

Veterans are expressing outrage towards Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner following the revelation of his derogatory comments about the Army and a specific soldier. These comments have surfaced from his deleted social media posts, sparking significant backlash.

Holland White, a Vietnam War veteran who served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, shared his perspective. “As a decorated veteran, serving cost me a lot,” he stated. “Congestive heart failure, hearing loss, COPD, PTSD, and more. I faced ridicule both as a black man and a veteran. The loss of friends I experienced still affects me deeply.” White emphasized how offensive Platner’s comments were to him and other service members.

Platner, currently running against Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine, has faced criticism not only for these comments but also other controversial online posts from his deleted Reddit account. A post from 2019 that drew particular criticism included his disparagement of a soldier wounded multiple times by the Taliban in 2012. Platner’s comments criticized the soldier, undermining the significance of a Purple Heart award given for the soldier’s bravery.

Steve, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, found Platner’s remarks about the wounded soldier vile. “As a Purple Heart recipient myself, I find mocking another American who took enemy fire to protect his squad an utter lack of brotherhood and selfless service,” he mentioned.

Retired Navy SEAL Bill Brown also criticized Platner, noting that a senator who disparages soldiers cannot be trusted to support them responsibly. Kate Monroe, a Marine Corps veteran, pointed out that being a veteran doesn’t equate to honor. “Honor is about how you manage yourself and your interactions with others,” she said.

Several senators, including Tom Cotton, Joni Ernst, and Dan Sullivan, all with military backgrounds, condemned Platner’s derogatory comments. Ernst, who served 23 years in the Army Reserve and National Guard, highlighted the severity of mocking service members who put their lives on the line.

Sen. Tim Sheehy, a retired Navy SEAL, challenged fellow Democrat veterans to address Platner’s irresponsible remarks publicly. Although offices of some Democratic veterans and the Platner campaign were reached, there was no response provided.

Former service members and current senators continue to emphasize the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis” or “always faithful,” reinforcing the expectation of respect and honor within the military community and towards its members.