President Trump and his MAGA movement don’t own patriotism or the American flag. Both belong to all of us.

Remember that point if you take to the streets on June 14.

That date is the 250th anniversary of the Army, which is a very big deal for the service’s nearly 1 million soldiers in uniform and for our nation’s nearly 8 million Army veterans. 

June 14 is also Flag Day, a bonus for Trump who will be celebrating his 79th birthday. The commander-in-chief wants a pricey gift: an extravagant military parade with tanks, aircraft and marching soldiers. We, the taxpayers, are paying for it.  

Organizers across the nation have called for “No Kings Day” counter protests, which is duly appropriate since soldiers in 1775 were enlisted to fight the king of Great Britain, the repressive and tyrannical George III.

But don’t take the bait and protest militarism or the “war machine,” as some groups have suggested. That would be seen as an insult to the men and women in uniform serving our nation. 

I’ve talked with several of my fellow veterans, who say any protest of the military will just backfire and will give right-wing news media what they want. Conservative commentators will be looking for any opportunity to blast protesters as “unpatriotic.” 

If the goal is to sway more independents and Trump supporters to the side of reason, protesters on June 14 should show reverence and respect for what this day symbolizes. Bring American flags and display them proudly. 

Since many communities are also celebrating Pride Month that day, show your support for our LGBTQ+ community, too, especially transgender people, who Trump has banned from serving in the military.

If you’ve gotten this far into the column, all this talk of patriotism and the flag may make you feel queasy. After all, the MAGA movement and Christian nationalists have worked very hard over these past several years to co-opt patriotism. 

To Trump, patriotism has always been about sheer power and white nationalism. With cult-like devotion, his followers fuel the optics surrounding this view. Ever see a pick-up truck flying a large Trump banner and a tattered American flag? It’s an in-your-face maneuver to warn non-whites, immigrants and marginalized groups they don’t belong.

Whether it be for “God and Country,” “military might,” or “our way or the highway” jingoism, Trump followers have treated patriotism and the American flag as if it belongs to them and only them. 

What do we, the loyal opposition, do in response? 

Use June 14 to say that Trump is a tyrant, not a patriot. From draft-dodging to ridiculing the military to befriending dictators, he has shown repeatedly that he doesn’t care about the miliary or veterans or anyone but himself. 

What he does care about is dismantling our democracy to gain more power and to remove all opposition. While his followers deny this, it’s the true patriots who are doing everything they can to prevent it from happening.

Rather than criticizing our military members, thank them with a reminder of their oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. 

Rather than attacking Trump supporters, honor the selfless service and sacrifice of Americans from all walks of life, while bringing attention to the tens of thousands of federal employees losing their livelihoods under Trump’s false pretense of eliminating waste. 

What we need on June 14 is a mobilization of millions of Americans who rally, march and speak up to defend the rights and civil liberties of all Americans. With empathy and compassion on your lips, let people know that mass deportations, including those of military veterans, without due process, violate our Constitution.  

This June 14, I and many others will be shouting, “No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings.” It is my patriotic duty to exclaim it to all who will listen. In 1775, the patriots then fought an absolute ruler, and, today, in 2025, we patriots fight a wannabe king.

The 250th anniversary of our nation’s Army should note the selfless service of our first president, George Washington. As the first commander of our nation’s soldiers, he knew the danger of absolute power and said a humble leader was more powerful than a king. He did not defeat King George III to become King George I.

On June 14, honor this legacy with other fellow patriots to protest tyranny. Call on our nation to stay true to the ideals that our soldiers and founders fought for – a republic with liberty and justice for all.  In doing so, you can proclaim our nation’s true strength – it’s people.

On June 14, take back our flag and America. In standing tall that day with conviction and purpose, you are telling those on the right that you love America too. 

John Paradis is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. He is a member of VoteVets, a home for progressive veterans, military families and their civilian supporters. He lives in Florence.