By Chrissy Cloutier, YourPace Contributor
Two Maine Army veterans say political division, cultural tension, and policy changes are reshaping the country in ways that concern them as former service members. The veterans, Nancy Hamlin of Bath and Zack Roderick of Vienna discussed their views on national leadership, veterans’ services, and issues facing their communities.
Hamlin served four years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a specialist (E-4). She now volunteers full-time at the Maine Veterans’ Resource Center in Bath. Roderick served one and a half years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a mechanic and works as a social worker at a Maine General Nursing Home in Augusta. They were selected as sources because their military experience and current roles in Maine give them direct insight into how veterans view political and cultural change.
Roderick said the divisions he sees in local communities concern him most.
“The division is amongst communities because communities are fighting amongst neighbors.”
He said.Hamlin said she sees similar tensions. She said she notices a decline in respect for national symbols and values.
“The disrespect for the flag,” she said. “The people that don’t think the U.S. Constitution is worthy of the work it takes to follow it and be a good American.”
Hamlin also criticized what she views as the political use of veterans.
“Veterans are used as pawns,” she said. “They want our support, but our benefits are always being threatened.”
She raised concerns about the handling of Maine veterans’ homes. She noted a state bill intended to create dedicated budget lines for Maine veterans’ homes lacked clear funding.
Roderick said he believes the current administration has taken actions that support active-duty soldiers.
“I feel like the Trump administration is supporting veterans. They are currently paying active-duty soldiers during the shutdown,” he said.
Both veterans said they have seen strain in veterans’ services. Hamlin said the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) faces challenges.
“I think the VA is doing the best that it can with what it has been given by the U.S. Congress,” she said. “It is chronically short staffed and has to negotiate a lot of red tape.”
Roderick said border issues are his top concern because of his work in the healthcare system.
“Being a veteran myself and working in the healthcare system in Maine, the biggest issue to myself personally would be borders,” he said. “It is causing issues such as having illegal immigrants within our healthcare system with no health insurance and creating national security
concerns.”
Hamlin said her priorities are freedom of speech and women’s rights.
“Both, I think, are in danger of being lost,” she said.
She said cultural shifts also concern her.
“There are countries that have little respect for women,” she said. “I worry that cultural changes could affect women’s rights in the United States.”
Both veterans questioned the rise of candidates promoting policies labeled as socialist.
Roderick said socialism conflicts with the country’s foundation.
“It is very dangerous for our communities due to the United States not being based on the socialist concept,” he said.
Hamlin said such policies have failed in other nations.
“It failed in so many countries,” she said. “Cubans fled to Florida to escape socialism.”
Roderick expressed frustration with the recent mayoral race in New York City. He said he believed the winning candidate misled voters but did not cite examples.
“He made our country look weak,” he said.
Hamlin said her concerns about candidates are political rather than religious. She said her experiences in the military shaped her views.
“My first sergeant at my first unit was Muslim and absolutely amazing,” she said.
She said she is concerned about any political figure who expresses loyalty to another nation or supports policies she sees as conflicting with American rights.
Both veterans said they feel cultural and political changes have altered the country.
“I feel like the ground has shifted under my feet due to woke ideology,” Roderick said. “This country has forgotten the individuals who have actually fought for it.”
Hamlin said she has seen hostility toward patriotic displays. She referenced an incident in Bath where a woman planned a flag-waving event and later reported receiving threats.
“She was met with death threats,” Hamlin said.
Roderick said leaders should focus on crises affecting local communities.
“We have a drug epidemic, mental health crisis, and gun crisis happening in our backyard,” he said.
Hamlin said veterans should not be used as political tools.
“Stop using veterans as pawns,” she said. “Give them the benefits they earned and were guaranteed at discharge.”
