Austin von Letkemann, a popular comedy content creator and Army officer known online as “MandatoryFunDay,” observed Veterans Day by sharing a heartfelt message of gratitude. From Washington, D.C., he took to social media to express his appreciation while steering clear of any political affiliations.

“Happy Veterans Day! This message is not an endorsement of the current administration or any political party,” von Letkemann wrote. “Whether Democrat or Republican, it doesn’t matter to me. My main concern is ensuring veterans receive the care they deserve.”

His post quickly sparked a flurry of reactions, drawing both commendations and criticisms in the comments section.

“This seems like an endorsement for a particular political party,” one commenter suggested, while another remarked, “I feel for you having your identity politicized and used as a convenient prop.”

Austin von Letkemann, known as “MandatoryFunDay,” is pictured at his home in an image shared with Fox News Digital. (Photo courtesy of Austin von Letkemann)

Von Letkemann, who’s built an audience of more than a million by blending military humor with everyday dad life, kept his footing. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he said the day should be about service, not picking sides. 

“At the end of the day, I’m a uniformed service member. I’m apolitical by nature — I’m supposed to be,” he told Fox News Digital. “If the next administration is Democrat, and they invite me somewhere, I’ll go. If it’s Republican, I’ll go. I just want to support my community the best way I can.”

He’d spent the morning at Arlington National Cemetery, where he attended the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a “surreal” moment he said he won’t forget. “You hear about this location a lot being in the military,” he said. “It was really, really cool… a ceremony as significant as this.”

The reaction to his post, he said, reflects a broader online dynamic around veterans. “People are very, very angry,” he said, stressing that frustrations can be valid. “But when a figure in government asks me to show up, and it has something to do with the military or veterans, I’m going to do my best to be there and support.”

Austin “MandatoryFunDay” von Letkemann poses with service members on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of Austin von Letkemann)

He’s trying to keep the focus on veterans and on his work. Von Letkemann partners with veteran-led companies and groups like the American Legion and Black Rifle Coffee on projects meant to help the community; this fall, he boosted an effort to pay off $25M of veteran medical debt. 

“It is an absolute privilege when I get to do stuff like this,” he said of Black Rifle Coffee’s Operation: Debt of Gratitude. “The military and veteran community has blessed me probably far beyond anything I deserve.”

The content creator also talked about why he leans so hard on comedy. “Comedy is like an equalizer — it disarms people,” he said. “We create barriers and division among ourselves… but if I can make you laugh, you’re my friend. If I can keep you laughing, you’re like my best friend.”

Veterans Day, he added, is also a day of reflection. “The moment I realized I had lost more friends to them choosing to take their own lives than I’d lost to combat… that moment was probably the most significant,” he said. “There are a lot of people that are not with us anymore for a lot of reasons. I’m very grateful that we celebrate those individuals.”

Austin “MandatoryFunDay” von Letkemann attends an American Legion event. (Courtesy of Austin von Letkemann)

If there’s one line he hopes sticks with fellow vets, it’s this: “You can either laugh or you can cry. I choose to laugh.” 

When asked what comes after service, he said every veteran has more to offer than they realize. “Everything you learned in the military is something that can make you successful,” he said. “Nothing can keep a veteran down.”