LTC Al West Responds to FR Article

Personal Correspondence | 13 November 2003 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

I recently wrote an article an published on FreeRepublic entitled Colonel West...you've got my back anytime.

That article haas received a lot of attention and became a very good thread with people inside and outside the military analyzing and commneting on the episode in Iraq where this fine Lt. Colonel acted on his own volition in a time-sensitive, combat environment to extract information from an enemy spy within the coalition fomred and supported Iraqi Police Force.

The method of intimidation Colonel West used to extract the information has become the center of controversy and is leading to military legal proceedings against the Colone...despite the fact that the information panned out, other enemies conspirators were caught and an enemy ambush against American forces was averted.

It has been my own position that while Colonel West's actions may have violated general rules concerning enemy detainees or prisoners, his dicretion and initiative in accomplishing his mission (securing and pacifying the area of operation) while minimizing American casualties should be applauded and should lead to subtle changes in the rules to ensure that such successful initiative and disretion is not punished in the future.

Colonel West did not harm the prisoner and had no intention of doing so.

Having been given Colonel West's military email in the course of discussing that initial article on FreeRepublic, I emailed him informing him of the article and of the strong support he has amongst the public. I presumed (as it turned out correctly) that he was receiving hundreds of emails a day and that I would probably not hear from him.

To my surprise, I did hear from him and have now carried on an exchange of emails with him regarding his circumstances and plans. He has given me permission to post the email he responded to me with in the hopes that people will understand his position, his plans and his feelings regarding this episode.

Here is that email:

Mr Head,

You honor me greatly and your words have made this ordeal a bit more palatable. I am humbled by the support and care of the Americanpeople and tell them all I love my Land and my Army.

However, my road has ended and I accept that and will gladly take the reward and commendation of a hug from my wife and daughters.

Please remember our family in your prayers and God bless you and all of America!

Regards,

LTC Al West

Lt. Colonel Al West is a great leader who exhibits that rare quality of being willing to take great personal risk in the accomplishment of his mission and the protection of the troops under his commmand in doing so. He also has been and remains willing to take personal accountability for the risks.

At almost any other time in history we would call that type of action in a combat zone "service above and beyond the call of duty".

He deserves our support and our prayers. I pray that he will not be marked by this incident, that he will be allowed to retain his full military honor and retirement and that he will write his story for all Americans to read. I have encouraged him to do so.

[talleyman]

bump

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Good job, Jeff.

He did what needed to be done at the time, considering the circumstances. Who knows how many innocent (American and other) lives have been lost, that could have been saved, if the military had improvised as conditions warranted at the time?

Col. West is a hero.

We call them "the enemy" for a reason.

[blackie]

LTC Al West is a hero, if there ever was one!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Excuse me, I meant to write "Lt. Col. West is a hero."

[Soaring Feather]

Thanks Jeff. God Bless Lt Col West and our Troops all over the world.

Well said Flurry!

bump

Prayers for Lt Col West, his family, and those judging him.

[Pippin]

I say "AYE" to Col. West!

[BlueNgold]

I was watching some old war movies this weekend and one scene struck me as important ... in Von Ryan's Express, with Frank Sinatra, a captured Nazi Major informes Sinatra that he won't be providing any information to the allied escapees trying to make their way back to friendly territory. At that point the Brit officer fires a shot about 3 inches to the side of the Nazi's head. Amazingly the Major begins to speak. Realistic indeed!

[Travis McGee]

Is he retiring at 19 with no pension?

[StarCMC]

This is my message to LTC West:

Dear MR. West,
We have never met and probably never will, but I want you to know that you are one of my heroes. Thank you for your service. Check out this website to find LOTS more folks like me who would just love to give you a great big hug of thanks and sincere appreciation: www.freerepublic.com. If it wasn't for soldiers like you, there would be no USA. You are in my prayers. I have emailed my senators and representative about your situation. Hope that helps!

Warmest regards,
Star

"StarCMC" on Free Republic -- Check out the USO Canteen FReeper Style -- we'd be honored to have you join us!

This is his response:

God Bless you and thanks but hero is a title reserved for My Men and not me. Thanks for the prayers and it has been my honor to serve America for these 20 years. I could really use a big hug from all of you but especially me wife and two daughters.
God bless you and all America, LTC Al West

This guy is the real deal -- and he IS a hero despite his protests to the contrary. Thanks Jeff for keeping us informed! God bless!

[StarCMC]

Hey 1SgtMike -- Stay safe when you head back! You are another hero, sir! {{HUGS}} to you & Mystery-AK!

[blackie]

Total Agreement ~ Bump!

[Grampa Dave]

Jeff, thanks as usual for you standing up and doing what is right.

I would like to see the Jagoff lawyers who plan to charge LTC West charge with treason and interference with a military leader in combat.

It is past time to rid the services of everyone of these left wing Jagoff lawyers who have stabbed our military front line officers in the back since Korea.

There are good Jag lawyers who understand what combat and dangersous situations are. Keep them. Then, let them pick and train the replacements of the left wing lunatic Jagoffs removed from the services.

[StarCMC]

Col. West update ping!

[Knightsofswing]

My family & I too will pray for Lt.Col. West & his family. He is guilty of the wrong application of the right idea. I hope and pray that the Army will let him retire with his full [20 year] pension. I fully believe what he did was wrong, but it did get the job done. Why so-called "truth-serum" was not used is beyond me. There are other ways of extracting information from your enimies[sp]! I only hope & pray for God Blessing for him & his family.

Sincerly

Robert M. Suchman
Sgt USMC[Ret]

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[Dante3]

Col. West did the right thing.

[Valin]

However, my road has ended

With all due respect Col., it hasn't ended...it's just taken a different track.
A story told by R. Reagan
Two little boys (brothers) one shy and always worried about what was going to happen, there other hyper always on the move.
Their parents took them to a doctor to see if their moods could be leveled out. The first boy was taken to a room FILLED with toys, every kind of toy a boy could ask for, he just sat there. When asked why he said if I play with them I'll just break them.
The second boy was brought to a room FILLED with horse manure, he ran to the pile and started digging and shouting for joy. When asked why he said THERE HAS TO BE A PONY IN HERE SOMEWHERE.

Remember, there has to be a pony in here somewhere.

Wishing you all the best!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thanks Calpernia. Jeff pinged me this morning. God Bless Lt. Col. West and all our Troops, both home and abroad.

[swarthyguy]

Would love to have seen that Iraqi cop's face when Lt. Col's West version of tough love descended upon him.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I still get pretty angry about this so now I ignore the few counter voices on FR.