He Has This Image...

Of Crusaders going off to war... and women don't have a part in his weak male ego where he can't stand women in combat wrecking. It doesn't fit Hegseth's Walter Mitty dream of into vivid, heroic fantasies to escape a mundane reality.

Air Force cites DEI ban in cancellation of wreath-laying honoring women vets

Navy Times
By Hope Hodge Seck
Jun 11, 2026

 

 

 A 28th annual wreath-laying ceremony honoring women troops at a memorial outside Arlington National Cemetery was canceled earlier this month after organizers got word that multiple military services would not participate, with one citing Pentagon and White House guidance prohibiting “events related to cultural awareness months” and DEI programs.

The cancellation, first reported by Task and Purpose, was announced Wednesday by leaders of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus in a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol.

Did you see that, they have been doing it for twenty-eight years and now!

A staffer for the Democratic Women’s Caucus told Military Times that the wreath-laying had been canceled June 10 after officials with the Department of the Air Force said they could not attend due to anti-DEI mandates published in January 2025, immediately after President Donald Trump took office.

 

 An Air Force spokeswoman, Ann Stefanek, confirmed to Military Times via email that “The Department of the Air Force declined participation in compliance with Executive Orders … and DoW guidance.”

This is idiotic! This is demeaning to women! This is misogynist! Congresswoman Emilia Sykes wrote;

 ICYMI: Rep. Sykes, DWC Honored Servicewomen & Veterans After Trump Policies Prohibited Military From Participating in Annual Ceremony

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) led by DWC Vice Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted a press conference to honor fallen servicewomen, servicewomen, and women veterans. The event replaced the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus’ 28th Annual Women In Military Service Wreath Laying Ceremony, historically held at Arlington National Cemetery. The wreath laying ceremony was canceled this year because several military branches declined to participate, citing an Executive Order from President Trump and guidance from the Department of Defense that they say barred the military from attending an event that honors women.

Our servicewomen risk everything to serve our country. To be met with anything other than respect and honor is a disgrace. At the press conference, Members spoke on the importance of recognizing women veterans and servicemembers for their dedication and sacrifice. Rep. Sykes paid tribute to fallen servicewomen and called out the importance of honoring and supporting servicewomen and women veterans.

"For nearly 30 years, this bipartisan wreath-laying ceremony has honored the service and sacrifice of America's women veterans. This year, military branches told us they could not participate because of President Trump's executive order and guidance issued by Secretary Hegseth's Department of Defense. The result was the cancellation of a ceremony dedicated to recognizing women who answered the call to serve. At a time when women veterans should be celebrated, the Trump-Hegseth Pentagon is sidelining them. We will continue to honor their service and speak out against efforts to diminish their contributions to our nation," said Rep. Sykes.

 My worry? Is that Hegseth is turning the military into a White Christian Nationalist military with allegiance not to the Constitution but to a cause.