A pair of Gold Star family members say they were assaulted and taunted by protesters as they tried to get to an inaugural ball honoring military service members Friday night.
The women, both advocates from the Travis Manion Foundation, said they were insulted and spit on by a large group of demonstrators in downtown Washington, D.C., before the event. The taunts did not appear to be related to their military connection, but in response to frustration over new President Trump.
"These people had such hatred in their eyes when they screamed at us," Ryan Manion, sister of Iraq war casualty Marine First Lt. Travis Manion, said in a statement. "We were told that we ruined this country and that we should get a job."
After the event, they said they were menaced again, had their clothes drawn on with markers and pushed down by another group, leaving them panicked and upset.
The incidents happened less than a mile from the center of sometimes violent protests in the nation's capital, where a limousine and several trash cans were set fire earlier in the day. Organizers of the event -- a ball honoring Medal of Honor recipients sponsored by the American Legion -- said they did not receive any other reports of harassment or confrontations.
Ryan Manion and Amy Looney, wife of Afghanistan war casualty Navy Lt. Brendan Looney, did not file a police report after the assault, but are hoping to use their experience as a "teachable moment" to discuss the importance of respect and character.
"We understand more than most how fortunate we are to live in a country where we can demonstrate and share our different beliefs," Ryan Manion wrote in an editorial for the Philadelphia Inquirerthis week. "But my question for those who chose to take this route Friday is this: Are you truly accomplishing anything by inciting hate?"
"We are at a critical time in our nation's history. The division we see is real and it's an emotional time for all. But how can we channel our collective differences to make a positive impact?"
Officials from the foundation said they don’t know if the individuals involved were motivated by political anger or simply opportunistic vandals.
"The people who assaulted us are not protesters; they are not exercising their rights with the goal of making our country a better place." Amy Looney said in a statement. "Friday night was one of the ugliest experiences that I have seen.
"But today we are reinvigorated to continue our mission to redefine America’s national character. We must establish unity and we, as Americans, must do better."
No similar incidents were reported at the official military ball attended by Trump and his family, located several blocks away and surrounded by heavy police presence and barricades.
Officials from a Maryland AMVETS chapter that marched in Trump’s inaugural parade told local news outlets that their chapter has been harassed since that appearance, including numerous angry phone calls and several vandalized vehicles in the group’s parking lot.
More than 200 demonstrators were arrested on Inauguration Day in Washington, D.C. for various protest related offenses. Follow @LeoShane
Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at lshane@militarytimes.com.
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.
