The GOP thought it would be a good idea if they joined the Vets who were protesting the closures of the memorials.
However, they were alone on this one. Many veterans recently have come out and said they are disgusted with the way the GOP used this as a political platform.
On the Million Vet March website they said:
The political agenda put forth by a local organizer in Washington DC was not in alignment with our message. We feel disheartened that some would seek to hijack the narrative for political gain. The core principle is about all Americans honoring Veterans in a peaceful and apolitical manner.
The vets simply wanted to the memorials to stay open and that’s why they protested. The GOP however used this as a chance to piggy back their cause and push their own political agenda.