Posted on 11/13/2003 4:54:05 AM PST by 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,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.
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
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.
Please convey to Col. West our support, our best wishes, and our prayers.
CPT and Mrs. C.
Archy...do you know?
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.
HalfFull -- FYI.
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.
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
Regards,
L
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.west@us.army.mil
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....
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