Dissent not unpatriotic

My father was a 30-plus year veteran of the U.S Air Force. My husband was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and spent three years in service before returning home on a hospital ship. Though they may not have always agreed with the decisions taken by the leaders of the country, both men believed their military service was in support of the values and rights of our country of laws. Both men, veterans and patriots, dealt with negative reactions to their military service during the Vietnam era. But neither man argued that the protesters were unpatriotic. Neither man felt that those with different ideas did not support the country.

One of the most patriotic acts a citizen can take is to make peaceful protest or dissent when injustice or unfairness cause us to stray from our values and ideals. Peaceful dissent is not disrespect but an act of commitment and belief in what America is supposed to be.

Maureen Schneider

Spokane