I am a permanently disabled Vietnam Veteran who, like President Trump, is at philosophical odds with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. However, Trump’s attempt to resurrect the 2010 controversy about the senator’s misrepresenting his military record is sadly unjust.

It’s long been Veterans Administration policy to classify veterans by “Eras.” As a Vietnam-Era Marine Reservist Gunnery Sergeant, Blumenthal must be forgiven his unfortunate misleading statements concerning his duty stations. The essential truth is that he could have been mobilized and deployed to a 'Nam combat station at any time. That fact, as the Veterans Administration wisely acknowledged long ago, is something the senator and all his patriotic constituents can be proud of. He was certainly clever enough and privileged enough to secure himself a bogus deferment, as the vast majority of senators, congressmen and governors his age did, but he instead courageously risked the ultimate harm by enlisting with an outfit (Marine Artillery) suffering horrendous casualty rates.

Despite our profound policy differences, even I must concede Blumenthal is the foremost ally that military vets have on Capitol Hill. That distinction is something the president, another vociferous advocate for veterans, should (if only for the sake of veterans) respect and honor.

Martin Crane

East Lyme