A middle-aged couple stood on the gigantic stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in 2016. They were described as a Gold Star family. Since America ended the military draft in 1973, our country has made military service voluntary. Now, less than half of one percent of the nation serve. Not all of them come home. They leave a Gold Star family behind.
Pakistani-American Khizr Khan, now 69, gave a moving speech at the DNC. Today, he endorsed former vice president Joe Biden for the 2020 election. Early in December, he will go to New Hampshire to campaign for his candidate.
In his endorsement speech, this Gold Star father attacked Trump as “anti-Muslim. His son Humayun Khan died in Iraq as a war hero, according to The New Hampshire Union Leader:
‘I’m supporting Joe Biden for President because of the America he stands for and the one he will fight for — the country that my son, Humayun Khan, believed in and fought for so bravely.’
Khan continued, noting that Biden was committed “to our country.” Then, the Gold Star father spoke about Donald Trump who has “consistently chosen self over country” and “aiding totalitarian governments:”
‘Vice President Biden has always put the country above himself. From the days after he was first elected senator to his time serving alongside President Obama, Vice President Biden has never wavered in his commitment to our country. President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has consistently chosen self over country, seeking the aid of totalitarian governments to sway elections and undermine our rule of law to serve his self-interest.’
The couple’s middle child was 27-years-old when he died in Baqubah, Iraq. He was killed after two suicide bombers set off a truck carrying over 200 pounds of explosives. Humayun Khan was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously.
On the last day of the DNC, this father of a dead son spoke of him and went after POTUS. Khan said Trump’s proposed ban on migration targeted majority-Muslim countries.
Then, the Gold Star father pulled out a copy of the U.S. Constitution from his pocket. He looked into the TV camera and asked the Republican contender whether he had ever read it:
‘Donald Trump, you’re asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words liberty and equal protection of law.’
Khan noted that the next president will have to heal the country from the deep wounds Trump has wreaked upon it:
‘Hate has no place in this country. Beating Donald Trump and the hatred he promotes is the top priority in this election. But after Trump is gone, we need someone to help unite us and help us heal. I trust Joe Biden to be that person because I know his heart like I know my own.’
The father of this dead soldier shared the “loss and pain” of a child with us but more deeply than most with Biden. The former VP’s son also served in the military. Beau Biden was diagnosed with brain cancer and died in 2015.
Khan said that a child dying “crosses barriers and connects all people:”
‘He understands loss and pain in a way that crosses barriers and connects all people. We need a tested patriot like Joe Biden to bring us together as Americans and regain our leadership on the world stage. I am proud to stand with Vice President Biden and to endorse his candidacy for President of the United States.’
After the Khan’s DNC speech, the sales of pocket Constitutions spiked to the second place on Amazon’com’s bestseller list.
Donald Trump’s 2020 Trump campaign veers along on a crazed course. He has even fired the campaign’s pollsters after those polls leaked and showed Biden ahead.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.