The North Rowan High School JROTC Color Guard leads the 2017 Veterans Day parade at the VA Medical Center.on Saturday. Nov. 11, 2017, in Salisbury, N.C. JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST

Before serving three years in the U.S. Army, I was in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of Connecticut. This was in the early 1960s when many were protesting the war in Vietnam. Our commanding officer told us that we were there to protect the rights of the protesters.

Nike’s campaign reminds us of the importance of protest in a democracy, to stand or write or kneel for what we believe. Nike didn’t smack the military in the face. They patted them on the back.

— Pete Prunkl

Salisbury