Reflections of a Veteran: A Heartfelt Concern for Our Nation
- James Jerome Hankin
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
October 8, 2025
Commentary by Author & Retired Teacher & Veteran:
Mr. James Jerome Hankins "What We Blacks Need To Do Part II"
I served from Infantry Basic Training in 1967 until my discharge in 1971, completing my active duty service in Germany. Vietnam was in full force during that time, so we were not just half-stepping; we were preparing for a life-or-death struggle over 5,000 miles away. An infantry soldier's best defense is to avoid walking in a straight line or forming a group. I did not enlist for the infantry; I had qualified for engineering, yet I found myself assigned to a combat unit along with many other black and brown soldiers.
I filed my complaints through every step of the chain of command, all the way up to my U.S. Senator, Sam Ervin. I knew he was a racist, but I submitted my concerns anyway—smile! Senator Ervin didn’t even bother to respond to my letter. At the very least, the others were obliged to acknowledge it. Eventually, I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant (E-5). If I had to go to Vietnam, I wanted to be a squad leader, not following someone too afraid to advocate for himself.
According to the Department of Defense, we have over 900 individuals holding the rank of general or an equivalent title. Why did President Trump and his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, command over 800 generals to fly to Quantico Base, Virginia, for a 90-minute meeting that could have been efficiently handled with unclassified emails, costing mere pennies? Would a wise Commander-in-Chief really assemble hundreds of trained, equipped, and ready generals—many of whom earn a quarter of a million dollars a year—only to have them sit in arranged rows?
That "command meeting" could very well have jeopardized our military's effectiveness in the country that Trump pledged to make great again. Here's a question for you: What do you think motivated Trump to replace four-star General Lord Auston, a West Point graduate with over 41 years of experience, with Pete Hegseth, an ROTC graduate who served 12 years in the National Guard, achieving the rank of Major, as Secretary of Defense? How many parents would feel secure trusting the safety of 1.32 million active-duty personnel after listening to his speeches?
Trump has spent over a billion dollars of our tax money on these flights, as generals don’t travel alone. They usually bring along a large entourage, including spouses or significant others. Meanwhile, millions of schoolchildren, homeless individuals, and families living in abject poverty may not have had a single meal today—just so Trump could hold his illegal campaign rally and divert attention from the Epstein report. Trump continues to do something foolish each day to distract you from the real issues, including the horrific abuse of children. NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Day Polling Locations
As it says in Proverbs 6:16-19, “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” Did you vote for Trump?
The Spiral Staircase was a pop band best known for its 1969 single, “Love You More Today Than Yesterday.” Honestly, do you love Trump more today than you did yesterday?
Written by James Jerome Hankins—Teacher for Life!
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