A Brave Vietnam Veteran Stood Up To The Rioters In Baltimore

Baltimore was on fire on Monday night, in both a literal and figurative sense.

Rioters spread violence and destruction throughout the city, bringing more distress to an already grieving area.

#BaltimoreRiots Massive fires. Looting. Baltimore was on the come back. That sense of progress taken away in one hour pic.twitter.com/OnU6LRQFGd — Mariana_Atencio (@marianaatencio) April 28, 2015

West Baltimore. Can't see a thing past Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/ucvxG8Crff — Joel D. Anderson (@byjoelanderson) April 27, 2015

Not everyone was willing to stand up and watch their city tear itself apart, however. Robert Valentine, a Vietnam veteran who proudly served his country for 30 years, took to the streets to stand up to the rioters.

Speaking with CNN, he stated:

I'm just a soldier... I love my country; I love my charm city. And I'm an American. I am not black, white, red, yellow or nothing. I am American.

The situation in Baltimore is very complex, and the city is obviously in a great deal of pain. It will need brave heroes like Valentine, who has already seen and been through so much, as it strives to heal itself and move forward from these troubling times.

Watch the full interview below:

Citations: Veteran stands up against rioters (CNN)