Last Memorial Day, I underscored several sobering milestones in the War on Terror. 5000+ troops had died in the longest war our country has ever seen. And the fight for Taliban strongholds was escalating across Afghanistan.
How could we have known that one year later the NATO surge would be gaining traction?
- Spring to Test US Strategy (USA Today video & report from Kajaki)
- Time Working Against Taliban (Another report from Camp Leatherneck)
And who would’ve predicted that Osama bin Laden would no longer be alive as the penultimate symbol of Islamic extremism?
Yet sadly, in the past year, 1000+ more troops have fallen. In wartime, casualties come with the territory. They’re never easy to accept. But every Soldier recognizes the potential of death, and must put it into perspective. Ronald Reagan spoke very eloquently about this in his famous 1982 Memorial Day speech, as he honored those lost in World War II…
“…Each died for a cause he considered more important than his own life. Well, they didn’t volunteer to die. They volunteered to defend values for which men have always been willing to die if need be – the values which make up what we call civilization. And how they must have wished – in all the ugliness that war brings – that no other generation of young men to follow would have to undergo that same experience.
As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish – that no other generation will ever have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice.”
It was a worthy ideal. But nearly 20 years later, those hopes were dashed in the shattering smoke of 9/11’s diabolical terrorists.
Although it’s customary to speak in sweeping generalities about remembering those who gave all, today I’d rather focus on a handful of fallen Soldiers. Specifically, I’d like to salute the 8 US trainers and 1 civilian contractor who were ruthlessly murdered by an Afghan pilot from their team late in April. (Learn more in this report.)
Why focus on those who died in that attack? Because we live in an environment that too easily forgets! In this case, the media quickly moved on – even before the bin Laden news surfaced. But these soldiers deserve much better, because they were shot without warning or provocation – by someone they trusted and trained.
I know what it means to train Afghans. I’ve been in those shoes. I understand the risks. But I also recognize the importance of empowering Afghans to defend themselves – even if Taliban try to infiltrate the ranks of those we train.
We can’t afford to forget that we remain at war with terrorists – people who believe that lethal violence is an appropriate way to resolve differences. Whatever the motivation, this was nothing short of murder. We should continue NOT ONLY to keep it top-of-mind – but also to remain outraged.
Certainly, we can argue that Americans have harmed and killed others as a result of warfare, or weak policies in areas such as human rights or environmental issues. But American Soldiers have no strategy or policy that justifies killing civilians – or even Taliban warriors who attempt to surrender.
There is never an excuse for cold-blooded murder. It shouldn’t be tolerated under any circumstances – on either side of the equation. And anyone to tries to rationalize the intentional murder of American Soldiers should be considered guilty as a conspirator.
When I was deployed as an Afghan Border Police trainer, we fought the Taliban. But we never threatened local Afghans. In fact, we helped them. We provided food, toys, medical and school supplies with villagers. Soldiers there today continue to share these basic supplies. Strange weapons – but they’re very effective at building trust!
In stark contrast, the Taliban continually threaten and rob Afghan villagers, in a campaign of coercion. In fact, they seem willing to put civilians in harm’s way as human shields and decoys – a brutal mindset we can barely fathom.
Unfortunately, fairness, tolerance and respect for human life are in short supply across Afghanistan – and in many other areas of the Muslim world. But respect must be earned. And if any Muslim thinks that respect is earned only at the point of a gun, they will never have my respect. They will only have my commitment to defend the values I hold dear – life, love and truth – by whatever means available to me – by pen or by sword.
I will continue to fight for these principles – not just for myself, my family and my friends – but also for the honor of my fellow Soldiers who have fought and died before me. Those nine trainers who were denied an opportunity to fight for their lives – and all those who have answered the call to serve, but were lost in the battle.
I will always be ready to fight on behalf of those we honor today, and the progress they stood for. They deserve no less.
- Jeff
P.S. To read about my experience in training Afghan security forces in a remote region near Pakistan – see my book at Amazon.com: “Afghan Journal: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.”
P.P.S. I invite you to discuss freedom, faith, troop support and related issues with me at my “Afghan Journal” Facebook Forum: http://Facebook.com/AfghanJournal.
