Protests Collide As Trump Opens NYC's Veterans Day Parade

NEW YORK CITY — The presence of Donald Trump — the first U.S. president to open New York City's Veterans Day Parade — pitted veteran against veteran and New Yorker against New Yorker on the day of the event's centennial – even as electeds promised not to bring national politics into the ceremony.

Trump addressed crowds of veterans who gathered in Madison Square Park Monday morning from behind a bullet-proof shield and beneath a large sign hung in the windows of a Flatiron high rise that read, "Impeach Trump."

"Every veteran here today, and all across our land, you are America's greatest heroes," said Trump. "Together, we must safeguard what generations of fearless patriots gave everything to secure. We will protect our liberty, uphold our values and defend our home."

Both Trump and Mayor Bill de Blasio — who announced a new initiative to provide dental and mental health care to veterans — upheld their pledges not to reference national politics despite a contentious relationship which earlier this month spurred the president to blame the mayor for what he called New York City's "rapid decline."

But even as Trump delivered his speech, an impassioned argument broke out between two veterans with opposing views of national politics, one of whom said he'd like to shoot the people protesting his president.

"He's our president, we voted for him," said Jimmy Bishop, who served in Japan during World War II, adding the anti-Trump protesters "should all be shot."

But as Bishop pointed his finger at the crowd of protesters, Vietnam War veteran Bruce Frankel, 73, held up his protest sign and cried out, "I fought so I could do this."

"His commander in chief, not mine, feels he can shoot people on Fifth Avenue and get away with it," said Frankel, referencing Trump lawyer William S. Consovoy's claim that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted for a criminal act while in office.

Frankel, who carried a sign calling for Trump's impeachment, said he told Bishop, "I fought so you could do this ... That's the reason why I'm here."

Several protesters referenced Trump's own avoidance of the Vietnam War draft at 22, when he was about to graduate college, citing bone spurs. One woman held a sign saying "Cadet Bone Spurs" near Park Avenue and 24th Street.

"He didn't serve because he didn't want to get shot," said Melissa Carpenter, who held balloons imitating Trump as a baby in diapers. Carpenter protested the president because one of her children is transgender and another has disabilities, she said.

"This was just his ego," she said of the commander-in-chief's return to New York City for the parade. She said he was seeking an "adoring crowd."

"New Yorkers know he's a f---ing crook."

The family of Sean Tallon, a member of the Marine Corps who lost his life responding to 9/11, gathered underneath a Fifth Avenue storefront which had a sign in the window that read "Impeach Trump." The family members carried their own sign: "God Bless Our Veterans, Military + Our President."

His sister Rosaleen, who came with her mother Eileen and son Paddy, said those protesting the president "should be ashamed" to politicize Veterans Day, and that she was proud Trump accepted the invitation to come to New York City's parade.

"There are people walking up here [that] are Republicans and Democrats, we're all American today," she said. "He holds [veterans] in such awe... he's honoring them with the office of the presidency."

More than 25,000 people, including veterans and active duty military personnel, were led by grand marshals along Fifth Avenue, organizers said. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump did not join the march.

Ron, a former NYPD detective who declined to give his last name, wore his "Make America Great Again" cap but shrugged off the anti-Trump slogans.

"They're allowed to protest," said Ron. "We're here to support veterans."

Michael Brugal, 37, came with his daughter Nora and his son Blaz. Instead of a sign, the family stood behind an American flag.

"It's important for them to see this," said Brugal. "To show respect."

Patch editor Sydney Pereira and the Associated Press contributed reporting.