Janice R. Andrews
Republicans have attacked Democratic nominee for vice president Tim Walz over his military service, calling him “stolen valor.” Sen. JD Vance of Ohio is Walz’s opponent. During his first solo campaign event in Los Angeles, Walz stood by his 24-year National Guard record.
The governor of Minnesota made the statement, “I am damn proud of my service to this country,” when speaking at the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Convention. As Walz put it, “I served for the same reason all my brothers and sisters in uniform do: We love this country.” He emphasized that his love for the nation was the driving force behind his decision to enlist.
Republican outrage grew when a 2018 video featuring Vice President Kamala Harris’s staff highlighting Walz’s military experience and supporting gun regulation was rediscovered in a campaign video. Vance, a former Marine Corps member, attacked Walz for mentioning handling “weapons of war” during his service in the video. Declaring, “I’d be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like he did,” Vance accused Walz of inflating his involvement.
A Harris campaign official responded by explaining that Walz had “misspoken” in the 2018 video. Walz did not serve in a combat zone throughout his more than 20 years in the National Guard, although he did assist advance units. Prior to entering the congressional race in 2005, Walz retired from the Minnesota National Guard.
Walz addressed his detractors head-on in his speech, stressing the value of honoring all military service. “I firmly believe you should never denigrate another person’s service record,” Walz stated. “To anyone brave enough to put on that uniform for our great country, including my opponent, I just have a few simple words: Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Walz revealed a personal link to his military service, saying that he was pushed to enlist by his father, an Army veteran of the Korean War. After turning seventeen, he enlisted in the Army National Guard in just two days.
Walz enters the spotlight with this solo campaign event as he pursues his candidacy for vice president with Kamala Harris. His words emphasize his long-standing dedication to public service and hint to a larger attempt to stave off Republican accusations.
