On Saturday, a crowd of Vietnam veterans gathered near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to voice strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s plan for a 250‑foot‑tall arch that would sit between the Lincoln Memorial and the cemetery. The rally was part of the nationwide No Kings movement, which held over 3,000 events across the country urging citizens to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.
Veterans condemn the proposed arch
Jay Kellner, president of the largest Virginia chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, said his board voted unanimously to oppose the structure. “When the president uses military justification for this arch, putting snipers and drones up there while tourists are going down this bridge and into the cemetery, it’s crazy,” Kellner told reporters. “It’s a monstrosity.”
84‑year‑old veteran Len Funk, who served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, added, “I believe there are nearly 400,000 service members buried right here behind us, and this man has blasphemed this holy ground with this ammo dump.” Air Force veteran Tom Brown echoed the sentiment, suggesting the arch was built “probably for his own vanity, not for the soldiers who currently reside here.”
Trump’s rationale
President Trump has framed the arch as a “top‑grade military complex” that would honor America’s fallen heroes while providing a strategic site for drones, snipers, and ammunition storage. In his view, the structure would reinforce national security and serve as a visible tribute to the sacrifices of service members.
Supporters of the proposal argue that the arch could become a landmark that highlights the nation’s military heritage and offers a modern defensive capability in a high‑visibility location. The National Park Service recently released a report that, despite noting potential sight‑line impacts on iconic monuments, backed the president’s plan.
Broader concerns among veterans
Other veterans at the rally raised issues beyond the arch. Richard Silverman, an Army veteran and former law student, warned that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent announcement to cut 20 % of generals and admirals could “weaken” the military. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” Silverman said, citing an Associated Press report that Hegseth framed the cuts as a move to “remove redundant force structure and streamline leadership.”
Marine veteran Bob Tecklenburg, a Purple Heart recipient, expressed fear that the reductions would erode the nation’s best leadership. “He’s not doing the job the United States military expects him to do,” Tecklenburg said, calling for Hegseth’s impeachment.
Veterans stand for the Constitution
Bernard Thompson, a 21‑year‑old Army veteran who arrived at the rally in a bright red walker, summed up the crowd’s sentiment: “We stand for democracy and the rule of law. The Constitution still matters to all of us. They don’t care at all about the Constitution. All they care about is raw power and making money.”
While the veterans’ concerns are heartfelt, the Trump administration maintains that the arch will honor the very service members who now protest it, providing a lasting symbol of America’s resolve and a functional military asset.
What’s next?
The No Kings protests will continue across the country as the midterm election approaches, with veterans and citizens alike urging voters to consider the constitutional and moral implications of federal projects. The fate of the Arlington arch will likely be decided in the coming weeks as Congress and the National Park Service weigh the president’s proposal against the concerns raised by those who guard the nation’s most sacred burial ground.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
