Only 1% of U.S. World War II veterans survive today — roughly 15,000 of the 16 million who served. I'm the son of one of them. And I'm especially fortunate that at 100 years old, he remains physically and mentally active in world affairs.
My dad was shaped by the social justice movements that grew out of the Great Depression and backlash against the excesses of the Gilded Age and Roaring 20s. His parents fought for unions, workers' rights and civil rights for all.
After returning home from service in Saipan, Okinawa and Korea, my father continued that fight. During the Joseph McCarthy era, he worked to protect eroding constitutional rights and free speech. He also protested racism and Jim Crow oppression.
Now, in 2026, this centenarian is witnessing masked government agents snatching workers from their jobs, taking children into custody, placing them in detention camps, and shooting innocent protesters in the street.
Do you remember when Republicans warned loudly about "Jack-booted thugs from the government" stripping away our constitutional rights? Or when they spoke of "restoring honor and dignity to the White House?" That really wasn't so long ago. Yet look where we are now.
After a century of struggle, my dad's message to America is clear: Democracy is fragile, but it is precious. We must fight to strengthen it and restore what has been lost or forgotten.
You'll find him at the next No Kings protest. You'll know him by the sign he carries: "I fought fascism more than 80 years ago ... and I'm still fighting."
Join him.
I'm Reed Scherer, and that's my patriotic perspective.
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent
