To the Editor:

I am writing in response to Linda J. Cameron’s letter of July 10. I personally know and respect both Linda and Charlie Flowers, the subject of her letter.

Charlie was referring to Donald Trump’s deferments for bone spurs and for college as reasons why he never served in the U.S. military, but that he managed to play golf and walk around regularly. Money talks when deferments are arranged. Later remember Trump referred to our military veterans as “suckers and losers.”

Mr. Flowers, in the next paragraph, stated that he never served in the military, as he wasn’t in a position to be drafted as Trump was. Charlie was too old, married and had children exempting him from the draft. He would have served our country graciously, had he not been exempt.

In addition, Charlie mentioned how he did serve his community — 20 years on the Iroquois School Board, eight years as a Beadle County Commissioner, 14 years as a S.D. State Legislator, eight years as a lobbyist for the small and mid-sized school districts and nearly 30 years at his local fire department.

Never does Charlie disparage anyone’s military service to our country. Never does Charlie claim that his community service equals the perils and dangers that our military personnel endured. Never does Charlie infer that he isn’t grateful for the sacrifices made by our military personnel.

Charlie has always supported our service men and women.

Charlie was merely responding to previous personal criticism and comparing Trump’s refusal to serve in our armed forces.

Therefore I feel Linda J. Cameron’s rant was unfounded and taken entirely out of context.

Peggy A. Gibson
Huron