Nazi salute protester in 82nd Airborne hat gets blasted - by 82nd Airborne Division
A Charlottesville protester photographed pulling a Nazi salute wearing a US Army 82nd Airborne Division hat has been slammed by the same division that fought against Hitler's Germany in WWII.
Brandon Friedman, a former Barack Obama administration official shared a photo of the unidentified man, taken at the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, on Twitter.
Literally the most un-American photo. We went to war against both of those symbols.
— Airyn Renee (@ketsueki_raven) August 12, 2017
Many pointed out similar army hats can be bought online, with one adding it “certainly doesn't mean the person wearing it belongs to” the unit.
“Would *LOVE* to know the name of Mr. 82nd Airborne Division here rendering Hitler's Nazi salute. The 82nd jumped into Normandy on D-Day,” he wrote, HuffPost reports.
Would *LOVE* to know the name of Mr. 82nd Airborne Division here rendering Hitler's Nazi salute. The 82nd jumped into Normandy on D-Day. pic.twitter.com/oObJNgXzEI
— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) August 13, 2017
The post has been shared and like by 50,000 Twitter users, with some tweeting the photo to the 82nd Airborne Division.
“Who is this guy?” asked one.
The 82nd Airborne Division, an elite infantry division that helped defeat Nazism, delivered a stern response, responding: “Anyone can purchase that hat. Valour is earned.”
They added:
Our WWII Airborne forefathers jumped into Europe to defeat Nazism. We know who we are. We know our legacy.
— All American �� (@82ndABNDiv) August 14, 2017
Andy - Respectfully, anyone who thinks this man represents our culture and values has never worn the maroon beret...and never will
— All American �� (@82ndABNDiv) August 14, 2017
U really think that guy is an active member of the 82nd just because he has that hat? My mom has that same hat. She's 78 & has never served
— All American �� (@82ndABNDiv) August 14, 2017
Who knows? THIS is what an All American Paratrooper looks like. Rock Merritt jumped into Normandy on D Day, Njiemgen, fought in Bulge pic.twitter.com/vaps5fU0jb
— All American �� (@82ndABNDiv) August 14, 2017
They added: “Our WWII Airborne forefathers jumped into Europe to defeat Nazism. We know who we are. We know our legacy.
“U really think that guy is an active member of the 82nd just because he has that hat? My mom has that same hat. She's 78 & has never served
“Respectfully, anyone who thinks this man represents our culture and values has never worn the maroon beret...and never will.”