To the Journal editor:

After reading Stu Bradley’s parroting of Donald Trump’s self-serving trashing of NFL players who take a knee during the singing of the National Anthem and showing of the flag, I wonder why a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, the former mayor of Marquette and community leader could get it so wrong.

Colin Kaepernick was protesting police violence against black people and did it during the only time a player could do it prior to the start of a game.

Prior to the start of every NFL game, the players come onto the field to warm up. Then, the players and everyone else in the stadium take a moment to hear the anthem and salute the flag.

Next the referees meet with the captains at midfield, flip a coin to determine who kicks first and which end of the field each team will defend. Last, one team kicks the ball and the game is on.

It is true that those serving in the military do show respect for the flag during the flag raising. Military personnel usually salute while most people cross their hearts when the flag is shown and the anthem is sung at sporting events.

However, men and women serve to protect the Constitution, especially the First Amendment, and the right everyone has to protest peacefully. More than 7 million veterans who are members of the numerous veterans organizations, have come to the defense of Kaepernick.

Donald Trump is the last person who should get involved in this controversy. No one in his entire family has ever served in the military beginning with Grandpa Frederick Drumpf-Trump during World War I for refusing to serve in the German army and Donald’s father Fred Trump who didn’t serve in the U.S. military during World War II.

During the Vietnam War, Donald received … determents during his college years for a foot problem that didn’t prevent him from playing soccer for for years.

None of his children, Donald Jr., Eric or Ivanka, have served in our country’s military.

“Those who want to get rid of their Nike shoes should throw them up in the air and look up as they descend to hit them in the head!”