Thank you very much! Not all of us who join do get deployed. I spent 10 yrs in the Army reserves (joined at 48. They needed my skill set) and did all of duty states side. How many of the people who are criticizing his service have served in the military themselves? Just a question.
thank you for your support of Gov Walz and explaining some of the significance of his military service. It is frustrating to combat all the mis-information out there. Love your books!
Suzanne, thank you for your inspired defense of Tim Walz. Ironically, I am reassured by the nitpicking being used to combat the Democratic ticket. Is that all they have? That speaks even more highly of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz then, that the only complaints their opposition makes is about one's laugh and the other's distinguished military service. Keep it coming GOP. Way to lose an election!
I so hear you! And I'm convinced we will win. We have to. I'm just so frustrated by romance readers who have succumbed to MAGA's hatred. How do you read a romance novel like the books I wrote where love and honesty and truth and hope are upheld as everything to strive for, and then spin into a place ruled so completely by hatred and divisiveness and lies? It makes my brain hurt!!
I’m not mad at him. Only disappointed that he misrepresented himself. I would suggest maybe he is ashamed of his military service and record because he chooses to lie and embellish it. It wasn’t necessary…he should be proud of the actual things he did while serving his country.
I was an Army Brat, I also love your books! However, I don’t agree with everything said here. My dad held the rank of Master Sergeant. He served in the Korean War (twice) and Vietnam (once … as a tunnel rat) he received two Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars and at least eight other medal's. He was highly decorated and served his country in and out of a war zone. I remember him going to Vietnam Nam. The only problem I have with Waltz is the fact that he misrepresented himself to the American people. He did not complete his hours to retire or earn the rank he claimed and he did not serve in an active war zone. He misrepresented himself. I applaud his 24 years of service in the National Guard, however, he cheapened his service by over representing himself…that is a dishonor to himself and the men and women that have served in war zones. I was also a high school teacher and pretty much adopted one of my students. He went to West Point, was a Ranger and a Green Beret. He served in Iraq, Syria, and parts unknown. Don’t misrepresent your time served and create a false narrative. It dishonors others that served and the loved ones they left had to leave behind.
You write: "He did not complete his hours to retire or earn the rank he claimed and he did not serve in an active war zone."
(sigh)
I'm pretty sure I cleared up your confusion in the first part of that sentence in my footnotes. You might want to go back and read it again. Walz was assigned the rank and rating with the understanding that in order to keep it, he'd need to complete the necessary (time and effort consuming) requirements. After 24 years of service, at age 41 (an old man by military standards! A trope that's been used in war movies since there were movies. There's the kid from Brooklyn, the kid from the farm, and the hardened "old man" who is 32 years old, am I right?) Walz chose instead to retire, as so many military service-members have done before and after him. So are you mad at him for retiring or for not retiring? Or are you just mad at him for being, like me, a proud liberal democrat, who believes children shouldn't ever go hungry?
As for the rest of it... I'm afraid you're kinda showing your whole ass here because clearly you do believe that not serving in a war zone (through luck of assignment) negates 24 years of service (and my own father's years of service, and my mother's wartime anxiety).
So "Thank YOU for your service, but not you, you or you."
Got it.
One last note: I'm certain that if my dad had stomped his feet and demanded to go to Korea, he would've been sent to New Jersey anyway--with a demerit. (From my research, a corporal in bootcamp doesn't participate in selecting his assignment without blowback, but do correct me if I'm wrong.)
I am insulted by this response. If you had read my comment accurately and without bias, I commend him for his 24 years of service. However, shame on him for misrepresenting his rank at retirement and his suggestion that he was in a war zone. Last I checked, at the time of his service, Italy was not a war zone. He did not complete even half his training for the rank in which he said he retired. He misrepresented himself and I don’t know what children going hungry has anything to do with it. I was born near Ft. Dix and lived on base there several times. I’m not sure what a corporal has to do with anything. Calling people names is something people write when they cannot support their logic. SB is an intelligent woman and by her novels, she is fair minded and respectful of others opinions. I remember my mother’s anxiety and ours (3 kids) when my father went to Vietnam Nam. I remember the police support we received at home while he was gone and the police would randomly drive by our home because protestors found out he was over there. The ‘Army Times’ featured a picture of my dad pouring a canteen of water over a young man’s face that had been wounded in combat. It was entitled ‘Battle Relief’. It is how protesters found us and it is also how my mom found out he wasn’t really at a desk job, but (in fact a tunnel rat at the age of 40). I don’t think SB wrote the reply stated here, it doesn’t sound like her.
I have enjoyed your books and have shared about them with others. I wanted to say thank you for the information you are sharing! In this day and age, information can be tilted in its viewpoint. I think it is great that you shared this.
Thank you for your impassioned response to combat GOP lies about Walz and his military service. You explained so eloquently and I’m sure enlightened all who read it. Please know that your words this political season have born fruit - from postcards to Chop wood- Carry water. I’ve joined in both of those activities because you let us know they existed and how to connect with them. And I have passed on both to those as well. You do make a difference! Thank you Suz!!
I’m so glad to hear that, Carol! Isn’t Chop Wood Carry Water great?!??!! Everyday I do SOMEthing to help kick fascism’s ass and defend democracy and I love that!!
Sigh. I just found the typo. VALOR not value.
Dropping this here because it's just too sweet to not share! https://youtu.be/WkwZ_A49hb8?si=ZqdCm4r3V8ctpW4A
Thank you very much! Not all of us who join do get deployed. I spent 10 yrs in the Army reserves (joined at 48. They needed my skill set) and did all of duty states side. How many of the people who are criticizing his service have served in the military themselves? Just a question.
Yes that is a very good question!!
thank you for your support of Gov Walz and explaining some of the significance of his military service. It is frustrating to combat all the mis-information out there. Love your books!
Thank you!
Thank you SO much for writing and sharing this --
You’re very welcome! I’ve learned so much about military service from my readers whose families serve. I respect them so much.
BRAVO!!! Thank you for taking the time, energy, and courage to spread the truth. D. Iams
Thank you!!
You go, girlfriend!
Thank you! 80-something days, and I aim to make each one count!
Suzanne, thank you for your inspired defense of Tim Walz. Ironically, I am reassured by the nitpicking being used to combat the Democratic ticket. Is that all they have? That speaks even more highly of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz then, that the only complaints their opposition makes is about one's laugh and the other's distinguished military service. Keep it coming GOP. Way to lose an election!
I so hear you! And I'm convinced we will win. We have to. I'm just so frustrated by romance readers who have succumbed to MAGA's hatred. How do you read a romance novel like the books I wrote where love and honesty and truth and hope are upheld as everything to strive for, and then spin into a place ruled so completely by hatred and divisiveness and lies? It makes my brain hurt!!
Thank you. I wish everyone could read this.
Share! Share! :-)
Thank you for writing such a poignant post.
Thank you for reading it!!
I’m not mad at him. Only disappointed that he misrepresented himself. I would suggest maybe he is ashamed of his military service and record because he chooses to lie and embellish it. It wasn’t necessary…he should be proud of the actual things he did while serving his country.
I was an Army Brat, I also love your books! However, I don’t agree with everything said here. My dad held the rank of Master Sergeant. He served in the Korean War (twice) and Vietnam (once … as a tunnel rat) he received two Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars and at least eight other medal's. He was highly decorated and served his country in and out of a war zone. I remember him going to Vietnam Nam. The only problem I have with Waltz is the fact that he misrepresented himself to the American people. He did not complete his hours to retire or earn the rank he claimed and he did not serve in an active war zone. He misrepresented himself. I applaud his 24 years of service in the National Guard, however, he cheapened his service by over representing himself…that is a dishonor to himself and the men and women that have served in war zones. I was also a high school teacher and pretty much adopted one of my students. He went to West Point, was a Ranger and a Green Beret. He served in Iraq, Syria, and parts unknown. Don’t misrepresent your time served and create a false narrative. It dishonors others that served and the loved ones they left had to leave behind.
You write: "He did not complete his hours to retire or earn the rank he claimed and he did not serve in an active war zone."
(sigh)
I'm pretty sure I cleared up your confusion in the first part of that sentence in my footnotes. You might want to go back and read it again. Walz was assigned the rank and rating with the understanding that in order to keep it, he'd need to complete the necessary (time and effort consuming) requirements. After 24 years of service, at age 41 (an old man by military standards! A trope that's been used in war movies since there were movies. There's the kid from Brooklyn, the kid from the farm, and the hardened "old man" who is 32 years old, am I right?) Walz chose instead to retire, as so many military service-members have done before and after him. So are you mad at him for retiring or for not retiring? Or are you just mad at him for being, like me, a proud liberal democrat, who believes children shouldn't ever go hungry?
As for the rest of it... I'm afraid you're kinda showing your whole ass here because clearly you do believe that not serving in a war zone (through luck of assignment) negates 24 years of service (and my own father's years of service, and my mother's wartime anxiety).
So "Thank YOU for your service, but not you, you or you."
Got it.
One last note: I'm certain that if my dad had stomped his feet and demanded to go to Korea, he would've been sent to New Jersey anyway--with a demerit. (From my research, a corporal in bootcamp doesn't participate in selecting his assignment without blowback, but do correct me if I'm wrong.)
I am insulted by this response. If you had read my comment accurately and without bias, I commend him for his 24 years of service. However, shame on him for misrepresenting his rank at retirement and his suggestion that he was in a war zone. Last I checked, at the time of his service, Italy was not a war zone. He did not complete even half his training for the rank in which he said he retired. He misrepresented himself and I don’t know what children going hungry has anything to do with it. I was born near Ft. Dix and lived on base there several times. I’m not sure what a corporal has to do with anything. Calling people names is something people write when they cannot support their logic. SB is an intelligent woman and by her novels, she is fair minded and respectful of others opinions. I remember my mother’s anxiety and ours (3 kids) when my father went to Vietnam Nam. I remember the police support we received at home while he was gone and the police would randomly drive by our home because protestors found out he was over there. The ‘Army Times’ featured a picture of my dad pouring a canteen of water over a young man’s face that had been wounded in combat. It was entitled ‘Battle Relief’. It is how protesters found us and it is also how my mom found out he wasn’t really at a desk job, but (in fact a tunnel rat at the age of 40). I don’t think SB wrote the reply stated here, it doesn’t sound like her.
Where is the rest of this?
Sorry for the typo at the end! PS…write more books! I do love the stories and the characters you create.
I have enjoyed your books and have shared about them with others. I wanted to say thank you for the information you are sharing! In this day and age, information can be tilted in its viewpoint. I think it is great that you shared this.
Thank you!!
Thank you for your impassioned response to combat GOP lies about Walz and his military service. You explained so eloquently and I’m sure enlightened all who read it. Please know that your words this political season have born fruit - from postcards to Chop wood- Carry water. I’ve joined in both of those activities because you let us know they existed and how to connect with them. And I have passed on both to those as well. You do make a difference! Thank you Suz!!
I’m so glad to hear that, Carol! Isn’t Chop Wood Carry Water great?!??!! Everyday I do SOMEthing to help kick fascism’s ass and defend democracy and I love that!!
Here’s a link to Chop Wood Carry Water for anyone interested in knowing more: https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/chop-wood-carry-water-813-7cd?r=778wh&utm_medium=ios
Hi, Marialba! Thank you so much!