Ronn Easton

This dishonorable Trump henchman is robbing fallen heroes — literally

As a veteran, I will go to my grave believing that covering each other's six doesn't end at the grave.

I learned the military mantra, meaning to “protect each other from danger coming from behind,” when I enlisted in the Vietnam War as an armorer after two of my childhood friends were killed in action.

That’s why today I ask my fellow Americans to say a prayer and remember the four warriors who were killed in action last month in Iran, making the ultimate sacrifice for our country — only to be dishonored by the Pentagon and the Commander in Chief.

1st Lt. Tyler Feehan

Sgt. Angel Rampersad

Pvt. Isabella Gonzales

Sgt. Michael Swinton

These names were removed from the Defense Casualty Analysis System due to a supposed "glitch," taking the number of KIA from 18 to 14.

It was then you heard from the current administration that these heroes were killed during a ceasefire that obviously Iran hadn't heard about — like that makes a difference.

When their names were once again added to the list, it was under a new category of Overseas Operations.

By changing their status, the Pentagon not only dishonors their sacrifice but potentially denies their survivors a substantial death gratuity, health benefits, social security benefits and so much more.

It has been widely reported that the Pentagon has been less than honest about the number of casualties that have taken place during this illegal war. Now imagine yourself as a family member unaware of the condition of your loved one due to inaccurate reporting.

If you look at a soldier's rack of medals proudly worn on their chests, they are a road map of their achievement, deployment, valor and character. These medals are the least of which these fallen warriors should receive.

With the reclassification of their deaths due to the vanity of leaders like President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, these four will never receive those honors.

It takes a very special person to raise that right hand and recite the “Oath of Enlistment,” understanding there may come a time where it might cost you everything.

I believe as American citizens we must demand timely, factual and honest reporting of those killed and wounded in combat.

Remember, heroes are born not made.

Ronn Easton, former Specialist 4th Class, United States Army, served in Vietnam. He is a participant in the Home of the Brave campaign, amplifying the voices of Americans speaking out against the Trump administration.

This Trump onslaught is a betrayal of all I fought for. I won't stay silent

Given the fear and chaos that currently has a chokehold on my home state, Minnesota, around the murder by federal agents of two innocent people, I had to think outside of the box — of a way for me to beg folks to see just how wrong this is.

I readily admit I've never written an op ed, and am certain this will be my last. So when I sat down to write about my response to the ICE murders of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, I had to ask myself, why would anyone listen?

Here is my advantage. I've had the privilege to live and experience things a lot longer than most.

Fear and I are old acquaintances. As I am a 76-year-old Black man who has lived long past his predicted expiration date, fear has been a long-time nemesis too.

As a child of the South, I knew others who wore hoods. Those were the masks of the day. I remember the vitriol, the epithets, the "strange fruit" meant to cause fear, to intimidate, to subjugate an entire race. Such fear induces trauma, and that leaves life-long scars.

Fear followed me all the way to Vietnam. Not just fear of the designated enemy. Fear of the enemy within, too. The same hateful, divisive scarring sentiments, from so-called brothers.

Now, as a senior citizen, an elder who for a long time has felt, "I've done my part," I have been forced to reinvent myself.

I have to do so to make my voice heard, in opposition to ICE and their brutal operations. I spoke out first after the killing of Good. I continued to speak out after Pretti was shot dead too.

I have to do so in order to make it clear: fear and hate are insidious and infectious, multiplied by racial hatred.

Kidnapping children, separating families, and spreading fear are not the values that myself and many just like me fought for.

If this continues, we will no longer be the self-proclaimed Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

If that moment comes, every soul that has made the ultimate sacrifice will have been shown to have died in vain.

Ronn Easton, former Specialist 4th Class, United States Army, served in Vietnam. He is a participant in the Home of the Brave campaign, amplifying the voices of brave Americans speaking out against the Trump administration.