Veterans fear Donald Trump might ruin D-Day ceremonies

Some US veterans and others are worried about ­Donald Trump’s attendance at D-Day memorial services in Europe.

US President Donald Trump during a Memorial Day ceremony. Picture: AFP

World leaders will gather in solemn assembly next week above the sandy beaches of Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of the world-changing D-Day invasion of France. It’s typically a heartfelt tribute to alliance and sacrifice, outweighing any ­national or political skirmish of the moment.

That’s what has some US veterans and others worried about ­Donald Trump’s attendance. The US President has shown a ­repeated willingness to inject ­nationalistic rhetoric and political partisanship into moments once aimed at unity. For Trump, there is no water’s edge for politics, no veneer of non-partisanship around military or national security matters. The President, who did not serve in the military before becoming commander-in-chief, has feuded with Gold Star families, blasted political opponents on foreign soil, and mocked senator John McCain, a prisoner of war, for being captured by the enemy.

It’s a pattern that is set to get more scrutiny in coming days, as Trump heads for the D-Day memorial where he will be joined at the service by, among others, house Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat whom he has called “crazy Nancy” and warned not to try to impeach him.

More than 9000 Americans died in the D-Day operation that marked a turning point in World War II, beginning the Allied push to drive the Nazis out of France and eventually Europe. On a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, rows of white crosses and Stars of David stretch as far as the eye can see — markers of sacrifices.

Trump missed the other significant military commemoration of his term. In November, also in France, Trump scuttled plans to honour the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. The White House said the President’s helicopter could not make it to the site because of bad weather. His absence set off howls from many veterans.

In recent days, he has visited ­Arlington National Cemetery and spent Memorial Day on a naval ship in Japan.

“You are the ones who keep going and striving, and keeping America safe, and strong, and proud, and free,” Trump said during the visit. He also wished everyone a “Happy Memorial Day”, a greeting some find off-key for a holiday dedicated to honouring dead service members.

Some veteran groups were pleased Trump was attending the D-Day commemoration but urged him to leave the political broadsides at home.

“In situations like these, it’s best for President Trump to focus on his positive vision for reforming the Department of Veterans ­Affairs and advocating for a more restrained foreign policy,” said Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser for the conservative Concerned Veterans for America.

Plenty of previous presidents have embraced the military, identifying themselves with its power and patriotism. But Trump’s relationship with the armed forces has at times been uniquely fraught.

Though Trump has been a boisterous cheerleader for the Pentagon, he is part of a recent trend of commanders-in-chief who did not serve in the military. He received a deferment that ­allowed him not to serve in Vietnam due to bone spurs, but has been unable to remember in which foot, leading to accusations of draft dodging.

And while several veterans’ groups have applauded Trump’s efforts to improve mental and physical healthcare for former ­officers, many of those same organisations sharply criticised Trump’s recent consideration to pardon several American military members accused of war crimes, including headline-grabbing cases of shooting unarmed civilians and killing an enemy captive.

“It is mind-blowing that these are the persons this administration is considering for pardons,” said Kristofer Goldsmith, an ­associate director for policy at Vietnam Veterans of America, one of several veterans’ groups that ­oppose the pardons.

Before the D-Day commemorations, the President is due to be received by the Queen on Monday morning, London time, for a ceremonial welcome at Buckingham Palace. He will hold talks with Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday for one of her last duties in office, before the D-Day celebrations on Wednesday.

Mr Trump’s adult children are due to join him on the trip: his elder daughter Ivanka, 37, and her husband, Jared Kushner, 38, his eldest son, Don Jr, 41, Tiffany, 25, the President’s other daughter, as well as Eric Trump, 35, and his wife, Lara, 36.

AP, The Times