Posted on 02/12/2017 9:44:14 AM PST by Texas Fossil
Albert Harrington was 49 years old when he was killed in combat
Harrington served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in August 1991. According to social media, Harrington had made multiple trips between the U.S. and Syria in the past and was considered a veteran fighter to the Kurdish people, who referred to him as Cekdar Rojava.
Harrington’s death makes him the second U.S. volunteer to be killed fighting alongside the Kurdish militia (YPG) in less than a month, with Paolo Todd, 33, of California, succumbing to wounds received fighting ISIS near Raqqa on January 15th.
A fellow U.S. volunteer, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to American Military News about Harrington’s character.
“When others ran, he always chose to stand and fight. He died like a real Marine,” the volunteer said.
ARA news released a statement from forces assisting the YPG in Rojava:
“With great sadness [that] we announce the passing away of our good friend Albert Avery Harrington, an American Volunteer who was injured in a bomb explosion a few days ago in Syria and passed away from his injuries.”
There are other pictures of him at the link. I tried to include them and there was a lot of html noise with it. So I just left it out.
May he rest in Peace. Thanks for his service for the US and those he chose to fight with in Syria.
He died a mercenary’s death.
May God welcome you with open arms into His mercy, Corporal.
And thank you for your service.
Won't denigrate either of these warriors but most who have seen war and performed admirably seem to have had their fill once they are no longer expected to engage in combat.
Perhaps they saw a compelling reason that even those of us who love our warriors don't see - at least not a compelling enough reason to want us to be engaged via our active duty military.
Mercs do it for the money. Neither you nor I know if he did. (I met one, was not impressed with him)
Once a Marine, always a Marine.
His other pic: http://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/993041_10151506323605886_1024738932_n-220x300.jpg
You determine his motive?
“Mercenary” my ass! He wasn’t fighting for the piddling amount of money he was paid. He and other volunteers have been fighting for the cause — against Islamic tyranny and for liberation of the Kurds.
Why do you consider him to be a mercenary?
The YPG doesn’t pay these volunteers. They foot the entire bill themselves.
I know his actions. He volunteered to fight for another sovereign. So is he a traitor or a mercenary?
So he fought for another country. I guess that makes him a traitor. Unless he fought with the approval of the US government (a la WWII). My guess he did not have that.
that’s insulting, he is neither.
I am trying to make a point here: Not every American fighting overseas is a patriot or hero.
I respect everyone that has ever worn the uniform. That is not the point.
Some people love battle. Some people love the esprit d’corps. That’s fine. I “get” that.
But they aren’t heroes just because they love it.
I have known many mercs over the years. Most do it for the $$$, some do it because they like to fight, some do it because they like to kill, a few do it to help people in need. I have close friends and relatives that work for PMC’s, mostly in security roles. The money is very good, the chances of getting shot are pretty low and you can still get an adrenaline rush.
Was he a Kurd? What was his motivation? What would be the criminal ramifications if he came back to the US?
It is not legal for an American citizen to just hop on a plane, fly around the world and join another army.
That doesn’t make him special. It’s makes him a mercenary. You can call it what you want. You can be insulted. But his mere presence there represents our country.
Were the Flying Tigers traitors before they were made part of the US military in 1942?
Of course, some would have us believe that there is only one good side in this fight, and that this fine man wasn’t on it. There claim is that only Assad, the hereditary socialist dictator of Syria, ally of Iran and Putin, and former supporter of al Qaeda in Iraq, is good. No other information seems to be acceptable.
If leftists can organize 3000 Americans as the “Abraham Lincoln Brigade” to fight Franco for the Marxists in the Spanish Civil War, I have no problem with at least 3000 people volunteering to fight ISIS in Syria.
Of course, some would have us believe that there is only one good side in this fight, and that this fine man wasn’t on it. Their claim is that only Assad, the hereditary socialist dictator of Syria, ally of Iran and Putin, and former supporter of al Qaeda in Iraq, is good. No other information seems to be acceptable.
Under the Bush admin, several Americans were arrested and charged for trying to overthrow Cambodia.
My best friend and business partner, was a merc.
He had also been with 5th Special Forces Group RVN.
He was clearly a different breed of cat.
One day he left for Africa, five years later he called.
Said he had been hit and was in a US V.A. Hospital, could not talk, the feds knew where had been and where he was.
The last I heard from him.
Not money, he and his pals would say money when ask by an outsider.
I doubt they ever covered travel expenses.
Adrenaline.
Because I spent years on rock and ice, made a few jumps, scuba... I was called an adrenaline junkie, I hated that.
May have been a correct diagnosis?
gotta run!
Intervals today!
90 seconds max heart rate, 90 seconds recover, six sets.
Gotta getsome!
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