Memorial Day & the Time the Secretaries of Defense Stood Up To Trump Joyce Vance May 26 Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, a time to place flowers on the graves of those who fell in the Civil War. Over time, it has taken on its modern form of remembrance, where we honor and remember people who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country, and for all of us, while serving in our military. So many of us have personal memories of family members and friends who served, and who fought, and who, in some cases, lost their lives. It is a deeply personal day in that sense. I was touched this morning reading Norm Eisen’s column at the Contrarian, where he spoke about both of his parent; his Mom, who was liberated from captivity at the hands of the Nazis by Americans liberating Germany at the end of World War II and his Father, who served in the military. Norm concludes that “Some might say we should simply remember our lost soldiers today, without tarnishing that tribute by addressing our political climate. But to my mind, looking away squanders their sacrifice. It is our responsibility to be candid about the crisis and to honor their service more urgently than ever.” I couldn’t agree more. I know with certainty that my Grandfather, who loved the U.S. Navy where he served until the day he died, and who taught me what it meant to be an American, would have felt the same way. Today, as we honor the military, I think about an act of incredible service performed by all ten of the living former Secretaries of Defense: Ashton Carter, Dick Cheney, William Cohen, Mark Esper, Robert Gates, Chuck Hagel, James Mattis, Leon Panetta, William Perry and Donald Rumsfeld, on January 3, 2021. That morning, they wrote in the Washington Post together, regardless of political party, they took a stand for the only thing that mattered in the moment, our country. The headline read: “All 10 living former defense secretaries: Involving the military in election disputes would cross into dangerous territory.” They wrote simply and plainly, to make sure the entire country understood, and perhaps most importantly, the brand new leadership at the Pentagon, because Trump fired his Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, in a Tweet on November 9, after he lost the election. Trump appointed Chris Miller in his place and sent along a now-familiar name, Kash Patel, to act as his Chief of Staff. You don’t have to be a Washington insider to understand that when a lame duck president does this, there is mischief afoot. The former secretaries, now joined by Mark Esper, wrote to dispel any illusion that the military could or should play a role in determining the outcome of the 2020 election. Trump was becoming increasingly desperate. He was running out of options. There had been some talk of using the military to seize voting machines or perhaps intervene for the president in other, even more nefarious ways. Headed into January 6, the Secretaries wrote to the American people: “As former secretaries of defense, we hold a common view of the solemn obligations of the U.S. armed forces and the Defense Department. Each of us swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We did not swear it to an individual or a party. American elections and the peaceful transfers of power that result are hallmarks of our democracy. With one singular and tragic exception that cost the lives of more Americans than all of our other wars combined, the United States has had an unbroken record of such transitions since 1789, including in times of partisan strife, war, epidemics and economic depression. This year should be no exception. Our elections have occurred. Recounts and audits have been conducted. Appropriate challenges have been addressed by the courts. Governors have certified the results. And the electoral college has voted. The time for questioning the results has passed; the time for the formal counting of the electoral college votes, as prescribed in the Constitution and statute, has arrived. As senior Defense Department leaders have noted, “there’s no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of a U.S. election.” Efforts to involve the U.S. armed forces in resolving election disputes would take us into dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory. Civilian and military officials who direct or carry out such measures would be accountable, including potentially facing criminal penalties, for the grave consequences of their actions on our republic. Transitions, which all of us have experienced, are a crucial part of the successful transfer of power. They often occur at times of international uncertainty about U.S. national security policy and posture. They can be a moment when the nation is vulnerable to actions by adversaries seeking to take advantage of the situation. Given these factors, particularly at a time when U.S. forces are engaged in active operations around the world, it is all the more imperative that the transition at the Defense Department be carried out fully, cooperatively and transparently. Acting defense secretary Christopher C. Miller and his subordinates — political appointees, officers and civil servants — are each bound by oath, law and precedent to facilitate the entry into office of the incoming administration, and to do so wholeheartedly. They must also refrain from any political actions that undermine the results of the election or hinder the success of the new team. We call upon them, in the strongest terms, to do as so many generations of Americans have done before them. This final action is in keeping with the highest traditions and professionalism of the U.S. armed forces, and the history of democratic transition in our great country.” This letter was published just ahead of January 6, and so easily forgotten by the events that occurred just a few days later. But Memorial Day is a day for remembering. And as much as we are grateful to the military for their service, for protecting us and keeping us safe by fighting on the battlefield, today, I’m reflecting on this quiet moment of courage from the military’s civilian leaders. There is much to be grateful for. We’re in this together, Joyce