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Sam Zager, D-Portland, has served in the Maine House of Representatives since 2020. He is a Secretary of the Navy distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.
This week, we mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over the Nazis in Europe. World War II remains at the core of American military legacy and veterans’ pride, and it is an honor to pay tribute to those World War II veterans that have gone before us and those still among us.
Such tributes are fitting and important, but by themselves, incomplete. To truly honor them, we must also recognize and remember the ideology they fought — fascism.
On March 24, 1945, the U.S. War Department published the “Orientation Fact Sheet 64” pamphlet, which described in plain language the beast the United States and our allies slayed. It characterized fascism as “government by the few and for the few,” and told how fascists trample civil liberties and “make their own rules and change them when they choose.”
The U.S. military believed it crucial that the service members who sacrificed understood how fascism gained traction in Germany, Italy and Japan — and the pamphlet warned returning World War II service members that no nation, including the U.S., is immune to fascism:
“…there is always the danger that [an American] brand of fascism will arise to exploit the situation and the people…It would work under the guise of ‘super-patriotism’ and ‘super-Americanism’…In place of international cooperation, the fascists seek to substitute a perverted sort of ultra-nationalism which tells their people that they are the only people in the world who count.”
Now, here we are, 80 years later, witnessing the Trump administration:
Turn away from blood-sworn, longstanding allies like Canada, the United Kingdom and France, and turn toward authoritarians such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orban who have minimal — if any — accountability to a freely elected legislature and independent judiciary.
Abandon Ukraine, which the U.S. swore by treaty to protect.
Suppress free reporting in the media.
Demand that cultural and educational institutions, such as libraries and universities, bend to the president’s will, despite their support in Congress.
Detain people merely for protesting government policy, not for suspected crimes.
Threaten to remove judges for ruling against the administration.
Steal powers of appropriation explicitly granted to Congress.
Deport U.S. citizens (even those who are seriously ill) without legal or medical consultation.
Discount court decisions and deny due process, which is so important that the Constitution guarantees it twice (Fifth and 14th amendments).
These are grave threats to the Constitution. If you agree, share your concerns with other veterans; contact all of Maine’s congressional delegation, especially the offices of Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Jared Golden; and show up at one of the many protests around Maine.
If you don’t agree that these actions gravely threaten the Constitution, what is your limit?
On this 80th anniversary of V-E Day, we honor U.S. and Allied servicemembers’ sacrifices to defeat the forces of fascism around the world. They took an oath, just as we did, to support and defend the Constitution. We never rescinded that oath.
Veterans today must honor those who came before us by being on guard and taking action here at home. We will preserve the soul and structure of our nation, and deliver it to another generation.