Been There - Done That

CNN reporter interviews a Baltimore resident who gets it:

JOE JOHNS, CNN: Sir, who are you?

BALTIMORE RESIDENT, VETERAN: Just a soldier.

JOHNS: And you sort of took it upon yourself to tell those young people to go away.

VETERAN: Yes.

JOHNS: Aren't you a little bit concerned about your own safety? I mean, there is a lot of bottles and rocks and things -- 

VETERAN: I did 30 years, okay, came out a Master Sergeant. I've seen more than all this. I've been through the riots already. This right here is not relevant. They need to have their butts at home. They need to be in their home units with their families studying and doing something with their life. Not out here protesting about something that is not really about nothing. They do not respect this young man's death. You know. Now, mama and daddy lost a child. That could be them. So I'm very pissed.

JOHNS: So what's your name?

VETERAN: Valentine. 

JOHNS: And your first name? 

VETERAN: Robert. 

JOHNS: Robert Valentine. And you're a Vietnam vet?

VETERAN: Yes.

JOHNS: And you just decided to come out here and stand up against these guys?

VETERAN: Yes.

JOHNS: You know, a lot of people would think twice, wouldn't they? 

VETERAN: I love my country. I love my Charm City. I'm an American. I'm not black, white, red, yellow or nothing. I am American.