(HUFFINGTON POST) Ever since Colin Kaepernick decided to sit during the national anthem at an NFL preseason game last week, one of the more common criticisms leveled against the San Francisco 49ers quarterback has been that he is disrespecting veterans by not paying proper tribute to the American flag.
Kaepernick’s own former teammate, the Minnesota Vikings’ Alex Boone, for one, expressed his frustration with the quarterback’s protest on Sunday. Boone saw it as an affront to veterans, like Boone’s own brother. “You should have some (expletive) respect for people who served,” Boone told USA Today.
Kaepernick has tried to make clear that he does not wish to disrespect any military veterans in the days since his protest. Rather, he believes the ideals for which they risk their lives are not being similarly protected at home.
“I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country,” he said Sunday. “I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone.”
But, he added. “People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody.”
Large numbers of Americans have continued to criticize Kaepernick in the days after his comments. But a noteworthy group has also started to speak up in his defense: veterans themselves. Over the last day, military veterans have taken to Twitter and other social media in support not only of Kaepernick’s right to free speech, but of the particulars of his message, too.
“If you haven’t served, don’t speak on my behalf,” one veteran wrote.
“I serve for his right to protest.. I don’t serve for Police Brutality..” another wrote.
Below you’ll find just some of the posts in defense of Kaepernick. Believe us when we say there are many more all over the internet.
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Blake J. Stanfill @ShimmiHendrix
My father, a Marine, served his country in Vietnam. He says “we’re far from justice for all” #VeteransForKaepernick
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Kristen Meghan @KristenMeghan
#VeteransForKaepernick I am a disabled veteran & haven’t stood for the Anthem since I separated. We are not free!
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Airbnb Papi @JoeOnDemand
I serve for his right to protest.. I don’t serve for Police Brutality..#VeteransForKaepernick
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Baltic Avenue @Baltic_Avenue
#VeteransForKaepernick because I didn’t volunteer to defend a country where police brutality is swept under the rug.
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Coleman Chase @colemanachase
Free speech is free speech, all the time#VeteransForKaepernick
✔@SunnyAnderson
I took an oath & served, so players on a team I don’t even like could have freedom of speech #VeteransforKaepernick
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SH🍔N @brownlashonif you haven’t served, don’t speak on my behalf#VeteransForKaepernick
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Isaac wright @I_Zac33
I don’t agree with all of his points, but I’ll fight to the death for his right to say it. #VeteransForKaepernick
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Marco @BasedMarcoM
I serve to protect your freedoms, not a song#VeteransForKaepernick
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Erica Diggs
✔@DiggsandCo
Served from 97-2014 and I’m a firm believer of freedom of speech and expression. #nofilter #VeteransForKaepernick
2,0722,072 Retweets
3,9623,962 likes
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Dionna Bratcher @DionnaBratcher
#VeteransForKaepernick I served 5 years and I support you@Kaepernick7 ! Sitting or standing, exercise your rights!
3,4553,455 Retweets
7,5327,532 likes
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Ed Beck @DEdwardBeck
#VeteransForKaepernick Because we’re actually not all self-centered racists. #BlackLivesMatter
11,80511,805 Retweets
20,50820,508 likes
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Rebecca Gelinas @wanderlust5
My husband just returned from 8 mos deployment defending@Kaepernick7‘s freedom of speech. #veteransforkaepernick
486486 Retweets
1,1281,128 likes
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LeBron Flocka James @Troncat_MontanaPeople who haven’t served trying to tell us how we feel
#VeteransForKaepernick
5,2515,251 Retweets
7,7497,749 likes
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Nicole @dcmbrdiva
@Kaepernick7 I served 25yrs in the AF to protect everyone’s 1st Amend rights. I support you #VeteransForKaepernick
8,8378,837 Retweets
13,43713,437 likes
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Robert Young @robertcyoung
Because we demand our country protect all its citizens equally. THAT is what I defended! #VeteransForKaepernick
4,2224,222 Retweets
7,0987,098 likes
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Antonio Buehler @AntonioBuehler
Me: West Point, Ranger School, Kosovo, Iraq, Bronze Star.@Kaepernick7 is an American hero. #VeteransForKaepernick
115115 Retweets
154154 likes
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Brandon Gericke @bgericke999
Add me to the patriots who support this man and his rights along with his cause #VeteransForKaepernick
123123 Retweets
304304 likes
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C+ @CoreyBliss
I was black before I joined and I’ll be black when I finish serving my time. #VeteransForKaepernick @Kaepernick7
2,0702,070 Retweets
4,1144,114 likes
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Brandy @S4Diva1978
I was brave enough to defend the rights of EVERYONE… Even those who dislike people like me. #VeteransForKaepernick
2,3322,332 Retweets
4,6724,672 likes
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Marcus @Marcus_Sniffles
4 and a half years of service with a deployment and a year long remote.@Kaepernick7 #VeteransForKaepernick
1,4511,451 Retweets
3,0443,044 likes
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dylan @dyllyp
Keep doing your thing. Salute. @Kaepernick7#VeteransForKaepernick
918918 Retweets
1,9731,973 likes
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Phillip Richardson @prich8604
I’m riding with 7…I fought for freedom not a song#VeteransForKaepernick
1,3851,385 Retweets
2,7012,701 likes
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Jeffrey Crossman @JCrossman1
I serve to protect your freedoms, not a song#VeteransForKaepernick
3,7633,763 Retweets
5,4485,448 likes
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Charlie @CharlieInCT
I’m with @Kaepernick7. I’m a vet. I care about people’s right to take a stand. It makes us better & smarter.#VeteransForKaepernick
8686 Retweets
149149 likes
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Charles Clymer
✔@cmclymer
Don’t use my service-or that of any veteran-to justify the silencing of black Americans. Not on my watch.#VeteransForKaepernick
15,15815,158 Retweets
22,81022,810 likes
