In an exclusive interview with the Ruthless Podcast, Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer discussed the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House, his personal story of heroism, and blasted the controversial design of a proposed memorial for the Global War on Terrorism.
"If I could sum up the entire night, it was about service," Meyer told the Fellas in an interview released Tuesday morning. "And it was every foundation of this country and what it was founded on. Every fighter in there gave thanks to all the men and women who served. You just saw uniforms everywhere, everybody with American flags," Meyer said of the event.
As a part of the UFC Freedom 250 Heavyweight on Sunday evening, Meyer walked out with fighter Justin Gaethje. The emotional moment of patriotism preceded a technical knockout win for Gaethje over Ilia Topuria for an undisputed lightweight title. The fight, an underdog win for the American Gaethje against a European Topuria, was the main event on the patriotic night.
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Sargent Meyer served in the Marines from 2006 to 2010. He received the Medal of Honor for entering an area under enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers and the bodies of fallen service members. His efforts saved 36 lives, including 13 Americans.
"Here's the reason why I think that story is so important," podcast co-host John Ashbrook said of Meyer’s story. "Because people listen to the show, some of them served, but a lot of them read about it on the news, or they hear a politician say, 'Oh, freedom isn't free,’ or some other like speech that sounds good, and it is good. But, until you hear those words, you don't really understand the sacrifice, and even hearing those words, you don't understand the sacrifices unless you were actually there and doing it."
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In the interview, Meyer criticized the design of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial. The circular structure with grass on top is planned to appear on the National Mall in Washington, DC, close to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the proposed spot of the Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
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"All service is the same, but not all sacrifice is the same," Meyer said. "And that looks like some shit that Bernie Sanders would have come up with."
Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) criticized the memorial. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) has said he’s formed a bipartisan and bicameral coalition to prevent the design.
"That was not designed by a veteran," Meyer said. "And if it was designed by a veteran, it was not designed by a veteran, whoever had to sacrifice in the way of being shot at. And I'm not trying to degrade anybody who wasn't shot at, but what I am saying is that. If you set on a fob. And we appreciate everybody's job, but this should represent a sacrifice."