Veterans and Honoring Same

For John, BLUF:  It isn't just the trigger pullers who help win the wars.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

Happy Veterans Day

I say happy because our Veterans have kept our form of Democracy secure from those who would change it.  I say happy because many of us returned from war to live productive lives and those who did not are being remembered and honored today, and not just by relatives and friends.  I say happy because those who returned and are suffering have people out there trying to help, no matter how inadequately.

Then, to put things on a down note, there is this headline from The Washington Post.  "In Afghanistan, interpreters who helped U.S. in war denied visas; U.S. says they face no threat".

Yes, that would be your US State Department.  This isn't a political issue, it is a bureaucratic issue.  For the Department of State to assess that these folks are safe in Afghanistan is an example of invincible ignorance.

Here is a story attributed to Mr Chris Taylor, former CEO of Mission Essential, who employed nearly 6,000 Afghan interpreters…

YES, these guys are at risk!  On Thanksgiving Day in 2009 I had one of my interpreters, whom I gave an award to only the previous day, pulled off a bus by the Taliban and slaughtered in front of other passengers as a message not to work for the Americans.

During Mr Taylor's time with Mission Essential the statistics were nine interpreters killed, 435 combat wounded and 13 kidnapped or missing, including six kidnapped from a wedding.  They too served.

Thanks to WashPost Reporter Kevin Sieff for bringing this to our attention.

Regards  —  Cliff