Trump pays tribute to ‘real heroes’
President Trump yesterday paid tribute to America’s war dead, as well as three men who were attacked attempting to protect two women during an anti-Muslim tirade on a train in Oregon last week.
“The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable,” the president tweeted. “The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them.”
Trump took the unusual step of tweeting the comments from the official @POTUS account, not the personal account that he typically uses.
The condemnation came three days after the Friday attack and following criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche and Ricky John Best were stabbed to death in Portland, Ore., as they tried to stop Jeremy Joseph Christian from harassing two women, one of whom was wearing a hijab. A third man was seriously injured trying to protect the women.
Christian, whose social media postings suggest an affinity for Nazis and political violence, is being held in the Multinomah County Jail on suspicion of aggravated murder, attempted murder, intimidation and being a felon in possession of a weapon charges.
The president spent most of the day yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery speaking to Gold Star families.
“They each had their own names, their own stories, their own beautiful dreams,” said Trump in his address. “But they were all angels sent to us by God and they all share one title in common and that is the title of hero, real heroes.
“... Though they were here only a brief time before God called them home, their legacy will endure forever,” Trump added.
Trump singled out Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, whose son, Marine 2nd Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed after stepping on a land mine in Afghanistan in November 2010.
He also mentioned the stories of Green Beret Capt. Andrew Byers of Colorado Springs and Christopher Horton of the Oklahoma National Guard as their families watched.
And the president recognized former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, a World War II veteran.
“As we honor the brave warriors who gave their lives for ours, spending their last moments on this earth in defense of this country and of its people, words cannot measure the depth of their devotion, the purity of their love or the totality of their courage,” Trump said. “We only hope that every day we can prove worthy not only of their sacrifice and service, but of the sacrifice made by the families and loved ones they left behind. Special, special people,” he said.
Trump also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
It was a rare break from the controversy-filled days of Trump’s presidency so far.