In his letter published Aug. 16, Lance Harvell urges veterans to support Republican CD2 candidate Austin Theriault, a non-veteran, over incumbent Democrat Jared Golden, a Marine Corps war veteran.
As a former U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, I find Harvell’s stance baffling. Why would any self-respecting veteran choose a candidate who eagerly sought the endorsement of someone like Donald Trump? After all, Trump evaded service in Vietnam first through student deferments and later by a dubious claim of a “bone spur.”
Even worse, Trump is notorious for disparaging veterans, as demonstrated by his denigration of the late John McCain, who spent five years as a POW in North Vietnam, and his recent ridiculous comments about Medal of Honor recipients.
Despite misgivings about some of Rep. Golden’s statements and positions, I hope veterans in CD2 will reject Harvell’s support of questionable figures like Theriault and Trump by reelecting fellow veteran Golden.
Chris Beam, Lewiston
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