Donna Barbisch: We need a president who honors our military heroes

As someone who has dedicated my life to the service of this nation, I understand what it means to sacrifice for the greater good. I’ve witnessed the courage it takes to stand up in the face of danger and the strength required to put others before oneself. That’s why the former president and commander in chief’s ongoing disrespect for those who genuinely embody these principles is so troubling — particularly his latest comments that belittle the honor and sacrifice of our military heroes.

The comments Donald Trump made last week reflect someone who does not understand service, honor and sacrifice for our great nation. His recent comments, suggesting that the civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom is “much better” than the military Medal of Honor because “everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor” are deeply offensive. The Medal of Honor is not something handed out lightly; it is earned through acts of valor that most of us can scarcely imagine.

While the Presidential Medal of Freedom was established to recognize civilian meritorious contributions to national security, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavors, Trump used it to award political allies like Rush Limbaugh and Jim Jordan. Comparing the Medal of Honor — awarded for bravery, courage and sacrifice in support of our Constitution and our democracy — to a civilian medal awarded “for any reason as determined by the president” shows a complete lack of understanding, or worse, a deliberate disregard for the values that have made America great.

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded in the United States, reserved for those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, often at the cost of their own lives. It is a symbol of extraordinary courage, selflessness and sacrifice — a recognition of those who gave everything for the freedoms we hold dear. Every single member of the military understands the profound significance of this medal. Every commander in chief throughout American history has known its value — except, it seems, Donald Trump.

He continually demonstrates his disdain for those who serve. From supposedly calling fallen soldiers “losers” and “suckers” to disparaging the late Sen. John McCain for being captured during the Vietnam War, his comments reveal his lack of respect for the sacrifices for those who support and defend this great nation, especially the military.

It’s worth reminding ourselves that this is the same man who dodged military service during the Vietnam War by claiming he had bone spurs in his foot — a claim that allowed him to avoid the draft while others like me went to war. How can he lead as our commander in chief when he shows no respect for those who have the courage to stand up and serve?

Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that the former president expressed disgust at the sight of wounded veterans marching in a Bastille Day parade, allegedly asking, “Why would you let these guys march? You look so bad.” This callousness is consistent with other reports, including those from Trump’s White House chief of staff Gen. John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, who has spoken out about the former president’s inability to comprehend the selflessness required of those who serve.

Serving in the military is not simply about appearances. We have a duty to protect and defend. We cannot have a commander in chief who values the superficial over the substantive, or pageantry over principles.

The presidency requires the qualities of empathy, respect and humility, especially in the role of commander in chief. He or she must master their ego to be an effective leader.

We must choose leaders who embody the values that make our nation a beacon of hope and freedom. We must educate ourselves and our fellow voters that the strength of our nation comes not from tearing others down, but from lifting them up and respecting those who fight for the greater good.

The time has come to stand up, speak out and defend the principles that make our nation great. We owe it to those who have served, to those who continue to serve, and to future generations who will carry on the legacy of honor and sacrifice that defines the United States of America.

Donna Barbisch retired from the U.S. Army as a major general after 38 years of service. She was the director of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense program integration. She served as a nurse during the Vietnam War.