WASHINGTON — Over 1,000 veterans and military family members have signed an open letter expressing their shock regarding Donald Trump and JD Vance’s politically charged criticisms of the military service of Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee.

This letter, organized with assistance from the progressive veterans group VoteVets, highlights the attacks on Walz’s 24-year service in the Army National Guard, which have become a focal point for the Trump campaign. Vance, Trump’s running mate and a veteran himself, criticized Walz’s decision to retire in 2005 before his battalion was deployed to Iraq.

“JD Vance’s recent remarks targeting Governor Walz’s military record are quite disappointing and disrespectful, particularly considering Vance’s own service, for which we are also very appreciative,” the letter, provided to YSL News, states. “Given Donald Trump’s history of showing contempt for service members, veterans, and their families, it’s not surprising that his running mate has resorted to such disparaging tactics.”

Walz, currently the governor of Minnesota and selected as Kamala Harris’s running mate last week, enlisted in the National Guard straight out of high school at age 17 on April 8, 1981, serving until May 16, 2005. He has mentioned that he retired from the Guard to pursue a successful congressional bid in 2006.

The alert for Walz’s unit to deploy to Iraq was sent on July 14, 2005 — nearly two months after Walz’s retirement — and the unit officially mobilized on October 12, 2005, according to the Minnesota National Guard. However, a press release from his 2005 congressional campaign suggested that Walz may have known as early as March 2005 that his battalion could be called to Iraq.

“When the United States called on me to serve in Iraq, I answered with honor and pride,” Vance stated last week. “In contrast, when Tim Walz was similarly called to serve, he chose to retire, leaving his unit to deploy without him.”

“What disturbs me about Tim Walz is the talk of ‘stolen valor.’ Don’t pretend to be something that you’re not,” Vance added.

Veteran supporters describe Walz as a ‘beacon of respect and support’

The letter has garnered the support of 1,048 veterans, military families, caregivers, and those who have lost loved ones in service, all backing the Harris-Walz ticket. They commend Walz’s military service, stating, “As those who have served and sacrificed for our nation, we are pleased to see someone with decades of uniformed service on the ticket.”

Among the signatories are retired Maj. Gen. Randy Manner, who has held significant roles within the National Guard Bureau, and Brenda Sue Fulton, a former military officer who served as Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the Biden administration. The veterans organization Common Defense also played a role in organizing this letter.

“Governor Walz, a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard for 24 years, has consistently shown great respect for service members and their families throughout his career,” the letter states. “His contributions, both in uniform and in public service, exemplify duty, honor, and commitment.”

“While Trump and Vance aim to undermine the sacrifices made by our military community and their commitments to veterans,” it continues, “Governor Walz stands tall as a symbol of respect and support.”

Harris campaign clarifies Walz ‘misspoke’ about carrying weapon into battle

Vance and the Trump campaign have also accused Walz of exaggerating his military service, pointing to past statements he made in favor of gun control where he said, “We can ensure that the weapons of war that I carried in war are only in the hands of trained military personnel.” It’s important to note that Walz was never deployed for combat.

Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, informed YSL News that Walz “misspoke.”

“He did indeed handle weapons of war and firmly believes that only trained military personnel should have access to those deadly weapons, unlike Donald Trump and JD Vance who prioritize The gun lobby is prioritizing our children,” Hitt expressed in a statement.

Vance’s criticisms have been likened to the unproven “Swift Boat” allegations made against Democrat John Kerry during the 2004 presidential election against George W. Bush. The organization Swift Boat Veterans for Truth contested Kerry’s acclaimed Vietnam War service. Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser for the Trump campaign, led the Swift Boat campaign that targeted Kerry in 2004.

On Tuesday, the Minnesota National Guard provided further details regarding Walz’s military service, indicating that he was eligible for retirement three years earlier than he ultimately concluded his tenure as an enlisted soldier.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Guard informed that Walz was notified of his retirement eligibility on August 3, 2002. He continued to serve for an additional three years, which included a deployment to Europe.

It remains unclear when Walz submitted his retirement paperwork. Manner, who held high-ranking roles within the National Guard Bureau, shared with YSL News that it generally takes several months to process a retirement once the application is submitted.