Veterans watch inauguration from Ottumwa

Jan. 20--OTTUMWA -- Political disagreements can occur between strangers. But even within a tightly knit group like Wapello County's armed forces veterans, you'll see differing views.

"When I went into the military, I voted for Ronald Regan," said Rick Kleinman, a U.S. Army vet and retired Ottumwa firefighter. "He was a strong supporter of the military."

Looking back at Reagan's actions toward unions, however, Kleinman might vote differently if he had a chance to do it all over again. He is certainly no fan of President Donald Trump.

"I've never seen a president-elect send out a tweet on New Year's referring to Americans as his 'enemies.' Because someone disagrees with him?"

But a Trump supporter and fellow veteran at the American Legion post Friday morning said even if you didn't vote for the man, you shouldn't hope he fails.

"You're right," Kleinman responded during a card game with friends. "You got to give him a chance. We're all Americans, and we should all hope for the best."

In the background at the Legion, two televisions, both on different channels, were tuned to the presidential inauguration.

Kleinman occasionally glanced at the TV but didn't seem terribly focused.

"I'm taping it," he explained. "I watched all of the Republican debates, and I'm going to watch every minute of this."

He can't see himself voting Republican anymore, he said. He added that he doesn't tell anyone how to vote. But he does try to educate others on why voting one way or the other makes sense.

"It's scary times," Kleinman said. "We're a very divided nation. I've got Republican friends; they won't listen to [a bad word] against him. He said he could go shoot someone in the street and wouldn't lose his supporters -- and I believe him."

That's not how everyone saw things, even in that one room.

"You can't help but notice how they are all getting along," said U.S. Navy veteran Leonard Deevers of Ottumwa. "The former presidents and their wives are being so respectful. That's very rewarding to see."

Deevers is both a Trump supporter and a political science major; he was watching the festivities on TV very closely. Yet Deevers, a Korean War veteran, is not necessarily one of the people who can see no wrong in their candidate.

One category that makes him wonder, he said, are appointments to cabinet-level positions.

"They are rich. It's hard for me to see they are up here and that they'll be paying attention to us down here," Deevers said. "But I think he has good people. They have the experience he lacks. Look at the military -- he never served in the military."

Erin Montgomery is the post adjutant, and he holds a different view than either of the others. Though he had previously supported Obama, he did vote for Trump this time; he said he just couldn't trust Hillary Clinton.

But it is a good example of how he votes: He calls himself an independent. He has never voted a straight ticket.

"I go down the ballot one [category] at a time and vote for each person," Montgomery said, "based on who I think is going to do a good job for our country."

His vote for Trump in 2016 won, and, on TV, Trump had his hand on the Bible as he was sworn in. Kleinman, the union supporter and Democrat, noticed.

"He says he wants to be the president for all Americans -- and I'm still an American first," Kleinman said. "We'll see."

Reporter Mark Newman can be contacted at mnewman@ottumwacourier.com and followed on Twitter @couriermark.

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