In Saginaw, Michigan, a pivotal swing county in a critical battleground state, a group of war veterans gathered to share their experiences in the fight for democracy. This gathering attracted aging men and women, many adorned with military badges, who initially hesitated to delve into their pasts. However, once one veteran spoke out against what they described as “the devil,” a surge of emotions flowed, revealing deep-seated anger that transcended typical political banter.
On a warm evening, these veterans came together to support Kamala Harris’s campaign, engaging in phone banking while recounting their military service and how those experiences shape their views ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Years of service—some dating back to conflicts such as Korea or Vietnam—have left an indelible mark on their lives and perspectives. As they surveyed the current political landscape, their feelings toward Donald Trump were unambiguous, with many expressing open disdain.
One veteran, former Air Force electrician Josie Couch, refused outright to name Trump, boldly stating, “This man here, that Kamala is running against, he’s like the devil, and he ain’t even trying to hide it.” Couch’s frustration encapsulates the underlying sentiment in this group as the nation approaches a tightly contested election.
The stakes are high in this election, with the outcome potentially hinging on a small number of votes in key states like Michigan. The Guardian is investigating the sentiment in Saginaw—an area where voters hold significant influence in the battle between Harris and Trump. Concerns over the erosion of rights, particularly following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion, loom prominently among younger Americans.
Many veterans, like Couch, have a broader perspective shaped by struggles for rights in earlier decades. She recalled her experience in the 1970s: “We all didn’t have a great service life because the men didn’t really want us to be there. I was called everything but Josie.” Now, she fears that Trump seeks to undo the hard-won rights of women and other marginalized groups. “They can’t tell you what to do with your body. I haven’t heard yet what they’re gonna do with the men’s bodies, so why do they want to keep pushing us down?” she asked, as others in the room shouted in agreement, “We’re not going back.”
The division Trump causes among veterans reflects the broader societal polarization. Some high-ranking former military officials have denounced him, including John Kelly, Trump’s ex-chief of staff, who warned that his former boss fits the definition of a fascist. However, for the veterans gathered, their anger towards Trump is driven by personal experiences and his history of ridiculing military service.
Dave Salogar, a veteran of the 101st Airborne, passionately shared his family history, emphasizing his connection to immigrant roots and the legacy of service in his family. “My grandmother, the illegal immigrant, eventually became a citizen at 80,” he noted. “She sent two of her sons to fight in World War II and another son to Korea.”
Salogar’s story turned personal as he reflected on his own service in Vietnam and the trauma it inflicted on his life. He expressed disdain for Trump’s avoidance of military service, often citing “bone spurs” as his excuse. Salogar called out Trump’s comments about veterans directly, recalling Trump’s disparaging remarks about Senator John McCain, a POW. He noted that Trump’s derision for those who serve—calling them “suckers” and “losers”—is an insult that resonates deeply within the veteran community.
“I wasn’t old enough to vote when I was in Vietnam. Now I’m 76, and this will probably be the last election I vote in, but it is the most important one,” Salogar declared.
Jerry and Dale Blunk, who met while serving at a defunct military base in Iceland, echoed similar sentiments about the urgent need for change. Dale expressed, “He has no respect for anyone except himself. He has no respect for the Constitution. He has no respect for veterans. He doesn’t have any respect for anyone, so he can’t go back to the White House.” They worry about the implications of another Trump presidency, fearing a deterioration of the rule of law.
Dale voiced her concerns emphatically: “You give unlimited power to an egotist and a fascist, then we’ve lost our country. Literally, we’ll lose our country.”
As the discussion continued, Salogar paused to reflect on Trump’s potential as a soldier. “When I was 19, I learned you’re white, Black, brown, you all bleed red. I’m glad he wasn’t beside me, because I’ve witnessed unbelievable acts of courage, compassion, and sacrifice by others like myself.”
This gathering in Saginaw is just one snapshot of a broader concern among veterans as the nation gears up for a contentious election, rooted in experiences that have deeply shaped their views on leadership and democracy.
