I was up at FoodLion tonight after my Doctor's appointment when I got in a strange (for me) conversation. It was a political one between two polar opposites. Both men knew me, and one said: "Hey, Kevin, you never get involved in Politics... so you are our unbiased observer...what do you think of this?"

Then they showed me a clip from a news channel on their smartphone. Some elected guy said that Democrats mourn some Iranian General that we targeted death :...more than they mourn Gold Star Families. Democrats are in love with terrorists. "

"What do you think, Kevin?"

I didn't say a word. My eyes watered up, and I walked away. I know people wounded in four different conflicts, I lost guys I trained with in Vietnam, and even in Training in Germany. I go to the VA often because of the health ducks that keep nibbling at me this last year. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force...some with war wounds, some with just age.

The one thing they had in common? They all served. And not one of them ever told me a story about being in Combat and asking their brother or sister: Are you Democrat or Republican. Not one, out of the thousands of soldiers I served with thought they fought for Democrats, or Republicans.

They fought for America. They still do.

And everyone wounded or killed in Action was called the same thing: Hero.

And I NEVER met a man or woman WHO SERVED- who mistreated, dismissed, or in any way demeaned the Family with a Gold Star in their window. I have heard it now from two elected officials. This guy was one.

I dislike Universal Statements. Those are blanket opinions without evidence. I had no idea how to handle a comment where someone would even suggest that enemies of the United States only target one party, and the other party never fought for their Country.

I have seen the hole left when a family loses a Son, daughter, husband, brother, sister Dad, or nowadays, Mother. I dated girls in back in the seventies that were 20 years old...and widows. I know many many children who never met their dad . Their pain doesn't end because the war is over. And you color that with your political palette to make a statement that is not only patently false, but an insult to millions of Service Members and their families?

If your hate for the other Party now excludes names on those Crosses at Normandy, or the Wall in Washington, or God knows how many small towns in America, and forgotten Villages in Korea, Africa, the Middle East, and at sea...my response to you is simply this:

How dare you.

Take a good look at the picture I posted with this post. Tell me who the Cowardly Democrats, or Nazi Right Wingers were...tell me who loved the enemy more than their brothers in arms. And then tell me, in front of their remaining family...they love terrorists.

Go ahead. Tell me.

And I will walk away knowing your hate knows no bounds, and you have forgotten the men and women you lost in battle.

I don't often speak on any issues like this. This time...I had to.

How dare you.

I am done.