Thanks so much for your comment—I'm always open to thoughtful discussion, and I want to take a moment to share why I stand by what I wrote about Colonel Ruby Bradley.
This isn’t about stirring up controversy—it’s about honoring service, defending historical truth, and staying alert when parts of that truth begin to quietly disappear.
In January 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14151, which ordered all federal agencies—including the Department of Defense—to eliminate DEI-related language, policies, and public-facing content.
Source: Source: EO 14151
Following that, the U.S. Air Force purged more than 45,000 pieces of content, including materials about:
The Tuskegee Airmen, The Navajo Code Talkers, The Enola Gay (the aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb in WWII), & countless tributes to women & minority service members
Source: Washington Post, March 2025
Colonel Ruby Bradley’s name hasn’t appeared on any official removal list—but given her profile as a decorated woman, a POW, and a lifelong caregiver in war, she represents exactly the kind of story that’s most at risk of being sidelined when DEI is demonized and erased.
Now, let’s talk about the broader culture around this.
In 2020, The Atlantic reported that Trump referred to fallen U.S. soldiers as “losers” and “suckers”—comments later confirmed by his own Chief of Staff, General John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general.
Source: The Atlantic
These patterns matter—not just because they’re disrespectful, but because they shape how we remember (or forget) those who served.
And I want to gently address something I hear often:
"Where’s your source?"
A valid question—but let’s be honest about the media ecosystem we’re in.
We’ve watched outlets like Fox News—one of the loudest voices criticizing DEI—admit in court that they knowingly spread misinformation. In 2023, they settled a lawsuit for $787 million after promoting false election claims.
Source: NPR – Dominion Lawsuit
So yes—sources matter.
And so does consistency in how we evaluate them.
I’ve done my research. I’ve read the memos. And I care deeply about telling the whole story, not just the comfortable parts.
That said—I’ll go back and edit the tone of the original piece a bit.
Not because I take back what I said—I absolutely stand by the substance.
But because tone matters too, and I always want to leave room for thoughtful conversation, not just reaction.
Colonel Ruby Bradley deserves to be remembered.
The Tuskegee Airmen deserve to be remembered.
The countless service members whose stories reflect the true diversity of our armed forces deserve to be remembered.
This isn’t political for me—it’s personal.
It’s about legacy.
It’s about truth.
And it’s about making sure we don’t let revisionism silence the people who gave everything.
Thanks again for engaging. I truly believe we get stronger when we’re willing to have conversations like this.
Thank you, Michelle, for your elaborate explanation. And thank you for your editing of the post. It is even better now. Because I am very well aware of all that is happening, and since is bad enough as it is, we do not need fake news to express our concerns.
Thank you also, for introducing the beautiful example of Ruby Bradley to me (a European woman who is not fully aware of all the admirable heroes of the USA).
HERO! HERO! HERO! HERO!
Could you please give a source for this? I cannot find corroboration anywhere.
Thanks so much for your comment—I'm always open to thoughtful discussion, and I want to take a moment to share why I stand by what I wrote about Colonel Ruby Bradley.
This isn’t about stirring up controversy—it’s about honoring service, defending historical truth, and staying alert when parts of that truth begin to quietly disappear.
Here’s what we do know:
Sources on her service:
The Wikipedia entry for Ruby Bradley offers a comprehensive overview of her life, military career, and accolades. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Bradley
Veterans Tribute - https://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1206
In January 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14151, which ordered all federal agencies—including the Department of Defense—to eliminate DEI-related language, policies, and public-facing content.
Source: Source: EO 14151
Following that, the U.S. Air Force purged more than 45,000 pieces of content, including materials about:
The Tuskegee Airmen, The Navajo Code Talkers, The Enola Gay (the aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb in WWII), & countless tributes to women & minority service members
Source: Washington Post, March 2025
Colonel Ruby Bradley’s name hasn’t appeared on any official removal list—but given her profile as a decorated woman, a POW, and a lifelong caregiver in war, she represents exactly the kind of story that’s most at risk of being sidelined when DEI is demonized and erased.
Now, let’s talk about the broader culture around this.
In 2020, The Atlantic reported that Trump referred to fallen U.S. soldiers as “losers” and “suckers”—comments later confirmed by his own Chief of Staff, General John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general.
Source: The Atlantic
These patterns matter—not just because they’re disrespectful, but because they shape how we remember (or forget) those who served.
And I want to gently address something I hear often:
"Where’s your source?"
A valid question—but let’s be honest about the media ecosystem we’re in.
We’ve watched outlets like Fox News—one of the loudest voices criticizing DEI—admit in court that they knowingly spread misinformation. In 2023, they settled a lawsuit for $787 million after promoting false election claims.
Source: NPR – Dominion Lawsuit
So yes—sources matter.
And so does consistency in how we evaluate them.
I’ve done my research. I’ve read the memos. And I care deeply about telling the whole story, not just the comfortable parts.
That said—I’ll go back and edit the tone of the original piece a bit.
Not because I take back what I said—I absolutely stand by the substance.
But because tone matters too, and I always want to leave room for thoughtful conversation, not just reaction.
Colonel Ruby Bradley deserves to be remembered.
The Tuskegee Airmen deserve to be remembered.
The countless service members whose stories reflect the true diversity of our armed forces deserve to be remembered.
This isn’t political for me—it’s personal.
It’s about legacy.
It’s about truth.
And it’s about making sure we don’t let revisionism silence the people who gave everything.
Thanks again for engaging. I truly believe we get stronger when we’re willing to have conversations like this.
Warmly,
Michelle 💛
Thank you, Michelle, for your elaborate explanation. And thank you for your editing of the post. It is even better now. Because I am very well aware of all that is happening, and since is bad enough as it is, we do not need fake news to express our concerns.
Thank you also, for introducing the beautiful example of Ruby Bradley to me (a European woman who is not fully aware of all the admirable heroes of the USA).