Yesterday, July 26, 2017, President Donald Trump made a decision that would not only drastically change the United States Military as a whole, but also our entire nation. He said that, and I quote, “our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” I don’t know how the rest of the country feels about this, but I personally think it’s morally wrong and is ultimately cheating us Americans on the home front out of the protection that, as anyone knows, we as a country desperately need.

For my article, I have decided to compose a letter to President Trump stating my opinion on this issue in more detail. He probably will never see it, and lets be honest; what are the odds that the President of the United States would ever listen to or even care about what a Kentucky farm girl like myself thinks of his decisions? But Odyssey is about using your words to express your beliefs on issues in today’s world, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing.

Dear Mr. Trump,

It is no secret that you have recent made a huge (perhaps that phrase will catch his eye) decision regarding our nation’s military-referring to our transgender troops as being “burdens” and ultimately banning them from joining or remaining in the military, simply because of what the troops identify as. Mr. Trump, you don’t know me, and I doubt that you even care about what I have to say, but I am here to tell you that I, along with many other Americans and their families, that this decision is a hideous mistake.

When a person decides to join the military, they are making a commitment to risk everything, right down to their own lives, to protect those who reside in their home country. For this reason, it is crucial for those of us who live on the home front; yes, even YOU, Mr. Trump, to respect, value, and appreciate what they do to keep us as a country safe. Around 15,000 troops today are in the US military, and you cannot tell me that they do not take the same risks to defend their people as any other military member does. Does their sacrifice not matter as much as that of any other soldier, marine, airman, or sailor?

Also, the main concern of a leader of any country should be the safety of the land of which they are over. If you choose to get rid of those 15,000+ transgender troops in the military today, please consider that that will be 15,000+ less people that our country has to protect it. Why let hatred overcome the best interest for the USA? I believe that the president should put the well being of his or her country before any personal discriminations or ideas that they may have.

Mr. Trump, I am sure that I have failed to say many things about this new law of yours that strikes a nerve in me, but these two are the biggest things that I just cannot seem to let go of. I write this in the most respectful way, sir, but I do ask that you really think your decision through.

Sincerely,
A Deeply Concerned American