Neo-Nazis in the US insult all who perished in WWII

Every year on the last Monday in May, patriotic Americans visit cemeteries and memorials and attend special services to remember the brave men and women of the armed forces who died in the service to our country.

The American flag – Old Glory – an enduring symbol of our nation’s unity is proudly displayed at gravesites, public buildings and homes in communities big and small.

Memorial Day ensures that the 1.3 million Americans who have died in wars and other conflicts are not forgotten.

Their sacrifices, shared by their loved ones, deserve to be honored – but they aren’t when there are those among us who embrace the ideology and beliefs of the enemy.

Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany, which triggered World War II with its invasion and occupation of various European countries, was responsible for hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women being killed and injured.

Hitler also was the architect of the extermination of 6 million European Jews.

Yet, today, the evil dictator and his claim of the superiority of the Aryan race are embraced by an ever-growing number of Americans.

It does not matter to these hate-mongers that their mere presence on the streets of our cities is a painful reminder of the dark days of the war and of this nation’s racist history.

On Aug. 11 and 12, thousands of white nationalists, including neo-Nazis and members of the Ku Klux Klan, gathered in Charlottesville, Va., to protest the planned removal of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Nazi symbols, including the Swastika, and the KKK’s white hoods and robes were on full display.

The white supremacists knew there would be counterdemonstrations by individuals who believe in the values of this country, including racial, ethnic and religious equality.

There were violent clashes, capped by a terrorist attack by a white nationalist from Maumee near Toledo.

James Alex Fields Jr., 20, used his car as a weapon; he drove into a crowd of counterdemonstrators.

One woman was killed, and 19 people were injured. Two troopers patrolling in a helicopter died in a crash.

LEADERSHIP FAILURE

Unfortunately, President Donald J. Trump failed to demonstrate the moral leadership needed at a time such as this. His reluctance to immediately condemn the racist groups is troubling.

The presence of the neo-Nazis, some in the uniform of Hitler’s German troops and others carrying Swastikas, should have brought an immediate rebuke from the president. Thousands of brave American men and women lost their lives or sustained life-changing injuries to defeat Germany in World War II.

Their sacrifice demanded a clear condemnation from Trump of today’s white extremist groups that spew the venom of hatred and bigotry.

The president should have issued an unequivocal statement about the spread of extremism since his taking office in January, and should have publicly rejected the support he continues to receive from the hate-mongers.

During last year’s campaign, Trump was slow in rejecting the backing of David Duke, former Supreme Grand Wizard of the KKK.

In the United States, free speech and the right to assemble are protected by the Constitution and are the foundation of our democracy.

Thus, neo-Nazis, the KKK and other hate groups can demonstrate and express their beliefs in the most venomous language, so long as they obey the law.

That is why we need a president who is morally unambiguous. Trump should have immediately and forcefully condemned the white supremacists.

He should also have made it clear that hate groups will not find comfort by his presence in the White House.

While Trump did come out and condemn the supremacists by name a couple of days after the Charlottesville demonstrations, he later reverted back to his original contention that both sides were equally to blame.

It’s time for a presidential address to the nation that reaffirms America’s commitment to racial, ethnic and religious equality and a pledge from Trump to destroy the purveyors of hate.