Eric Post, a former Marine combat engineer, sent a heartfelt message to protesters burning the American flag on the day of Donald Trump's inauguration that has since gone viral.
After the inauguration, Post, who served in the mid-1990s at Camp Lejeune, saw that people were burning the American flag at a protest outside Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Ore. and decided to go there to confront the protesters
On his way to the courthouse, Post's wife showed him a text from his daughter in an attempt to stop him from confronting the demonstrators. The text read, "I love you daddy."
Post decided to go to the Willamette National Cemetery instead.
In an interview with Task & Purpose, Post recalled the events that lead up to him filming a powerful message to the protesters, which he posted online.
"I found myself overcome with emotion that there were thousands buried there that did not have the ability to tell their stories and speak up the way I can," Post recalled.
Post was in an area of the cemetery that is dedicated to the memory of local Medal of Honor recipients and began to read the plaques describing their acts of bravery.
He then recorded his "disappointment" in the protesters and how their actions were "sickening," emotional throughout the video.
Hey protesters, if you want to burn the flag, it's your right. I get that. I'm amongst thousands of people that fought for their country and served. I'm standing by the grave sites of Medal of Honor winners. If you feel like it's your right to burn the flag, OK. Maybe you can meet me up here sometime and we can take a tour and you can learn a little about sacrifice and pride and honor.
I'm truly at a loss for words. I don't get emotional, but coming up here right now after seeing footage of what's happening is sickening. I'm disappointed. Most importantly, I'm ashamed for the people that are buried here.
Look me up if you want to come up here and we can talk about it. I'll happily let you read what real heroes have done. Real heroes. Not cowards with a lighter and a store-bought flag. That doesn't mean anything to you. Your day will come. You'll get wise one day and realize the symbol of the flag isn't what you're protesting. That's what gives you the ability to protest. You should cherish that. Not burn it.
Post went back to the cemetery two days later, where a crowd of more than 100 people had come together to hear what he wanted to say.
One woman even drove four hours to listen to Post speak.
"If you're just simply trying to piss people off, you're doing a pretty good job of it," Post said. "Please have your grievances with the newly elected president. That's okay. But please don't disrespect you and me in the process."