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.

[mhking]

Jeff, as long as I've known your words, they've always been powerful enough to show exactly what you (and by extension, we) feel.

Please convey to Col. West our support, our best wishes, and our prayers.

[Conspiracy Guy]

If anyone knows please enlighten me, freemail if necessary.

[Jeff Head]

FYI for you both. My correspondence with this fine man and American stalwart.

[Gringo1]

In my mind, he could have shot the Iraqi in both knees and ground salt in the woulds of it got him information that saved our soldiers lives.

These bomb-planters are animals and we should treat them as such.

This man deserves a medal for saving lives, and not a court date.

[Elkiejg]

Ltc West deserves praise from his military leaders - not censure. What some desk jockeys in D.C. don't understand is that our military are fighting a new kind of enemy. Islamic terrorists don't use conventional war techniques -- they would rather blow up women and children while hiding behind innocent people. They are COWARDS and barbarians and as such don't deserve ANY honorable treatment. BRAVO to you Ltc. West - TRUE Americans thank you for your service.

[shezza]

May God richly bless this fine, honorable, upstanding, decent, courageous, heroic leader. Col. West, as a military family ourselves, we salute you!

CPT and Mrs. C.

[Jeff Head]

I do not know...but believe it may have been discussed in one of the articles or threads.

Archy...do you know?

[Sunshine Sister]

Well said and completely correct! Thanks!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Bless you.

[Jeff Head]

I'm off to work. Will check back in this evening and respond.

God bless Colonel West and God grant that we can support him and all those who willingly go into harms way with a faith and commitment to principle and the defense of our Republic and liberties.

[doug from upland]

Well done, Jeff. Col. West, I also join those who say that you have my back any time. God bless you and this nation is grateful for your service.

[StonyBurk]

Col.West. The prayers of this house are with youand your
family. And With all those who serve,and exemplify the
Christian Soldier -Generals Washington and Eisenhower --and
several American Presidents once sought to encourage.
I am deeply wounded that the ideals fit for our foudnation
are no longer seen by our US Armed forces commandfor with
their passing -- so goes our Liberty

[Al B.]

Thanks for the follow-up Jeff. Very best to Col. West.

HalfFull -- FYI.

[Cboldt]

Bump to Col. West.

Human nature being what it is, and public school/mainstream media indoctrination being what it is, the Colonels actions and quietly dealing with the consequences is very refreshing. He has my admiration, and my prayers.

As to your experience in industry, the leaders generally act selfishly to the extent they have no care about the people below them (human nature), provided the organization continues to prosper and support their lifestyle. They also prefer that any shit hits the fan after their watch.

[spectre]

For LTC West...

Clarity
I think what you'll find,
I think what you'll find is,
Whatever it is we do substantively,
There will be near-perfect clarity
As to what it is.
And it will be known,
And it will be known to the Congress,
And it will be known to you,
Probably before we decide it,
But it will be known.
--Feb. 28, 2003, Department of Defense briefing

Donald Rumsfeld dabbles in poetry, and he wrote this.

Have faith, LTC West..I pray Rumsfeld will do the right thing by you, IF it gets that far. Some rules are meant to be broken.

Thank you for your service to OUR Country and we don't forget our real heroes.

sw

[MileHi]

God bless LTC West

[Lurker]

Well done Mr. Head.

Regards,

L

[Taxman]

Thanks, Jeff, for caring enought to engage Col. West in a conversation and passing the gist of it to your fellow FReepers.

I, too, would be honored to serve under such and outstanding leader --"First, see to your men" was the rule I followed the entire time I served, and Col. West also recognizes the importance of that little leadership maxim.

Col. West is my kind of man, and I pray that he prevails.

[archy]

"What state is Lt. Col. West from?

That's a good question. Jeff, do you know?

******************************************

I do not know...but believe it may have been discussed in one of the articles or threads.

Archy...do you know?

I believe LTC West's wife and daughters reside in the Ft Hood/ Kileen, Texas Area, in the Texas 11th Congressional District, now represented by Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards. Who, ran against a field of 5 unsuccessful Republicans during the 2002 election.

Col. West may maintain a Home of Record elsewhere, but my guess would be that he's registered to vote in the Texas 11th, in the Kileen area. And I'd expect that his legal residence as established by his driver's license and etc. would reflect that location.

-archy-/-

Allen B. West
for U.S. Congress

allen.west@us.army.mil

[archy]

Well done, Jeff. Col. West, I also join those who say that you have my back any time. God bless you and this nation is grateful for your service.

Doug, do you think you might bend some song lyrics just a wee tad to reflect military service in a desert war, and bring them out of yesterday's 1990's?

I seem to recall there was a Memphis trumpet blower named W.C. Handy who went pretty far following the exposure an early political campaign song he penned broought him considerable exposure....

Allen B. West
for U.S. Congress
Texas 11th District

*Click here for campaign song*