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.

[Chapita]

This man certainly understands the meaning of "Duty"! I wish him the best!

[harpseal]

BTT

[McGavin999]

Jeff, I'm glad that you were able to get through to him in a way that let him know how much we support him. If he wants to retire now, God bless him, but we still have to see to it that this totally manufactured blot is removed from his record.

After what he has done for us, it's the least we can do for him.

[B4Ranch]

LTC West,

Sir, You make me very proud to have served in our Armed Forces. The United States Army have will lost a great leader the day you turn in your I.D. card!

I am positive that your troops will never forget your name nor lose their respect for you.

May God hold your hand and guide you in whatever course you shall set for yourself.

Respectfully, B4Ranch

[Little Ray]

This is what a hero is like. No chest beating, no "victimization," just quietly do his duty and live quietly with consequences.
The Army is taking a terrible hit here. We could use a few more like him. Heck, we could use a few hundred thousand more like him.

[Republic]

THANK YOU, JEFF!!!! I was so pleased to read your article and the response to your email from the good Colonel!!!

This is just so great. And I will pray for this man and his family.

[ken5050]

Morning, Jeff..FYI..last week, ABC's show "THreat Matrix"..which is about the Dept of Homeland security..did a story in which an US agent, is interrogating an Al-Qeida prisoner in Gitmo...they show the methods being used..sleep deprivation...playing loud rock music, and the prisoner dies..heart attack..during questioning...the pnt is made that the prisoner had info about an impending terorist attack..yet the US agent is indicted for war crimes....ultimately she's aquitted, and the threat is foiled...

[snopercod]

When I read the part of Col. West's letter where he said "my road has ended", I thought he was being a little premature.

Then I thought back to how I felt when the utility company transferred me to a remote site in the Sierra Nevadas in the middle of winter as punishment for finding a flaw in their Residual Heat Removal System. (Not a theoretical flaw, either. The scenario which I predicted actually happened - several times, in fact - costing the ratepayers of California a few million bucks. At least nobody was hurt.)

When what they had done to me all sunk in, I realized that I didn't want to work for people like that any more, and quit. This, of course, is what they want Col. West to do.

Col. West and I both realized that even if we stayed, our careers are (were) over. He has spent his life in the service of his country, and now some unknown clintonista general sells him out for political gain, and his superiors stand by and allow it.

Only a whore would work in an organization like that.

[ForGod'sSake]

I pray to God that there are a lot more like hom out there.

I join you in that prayer; I also believe it to be true.

It appears to me Col. West may have been caught up in the PC madness bequeathed the military during bent willie's seige. May it soon end.

I hope he knows, or comes to know, we Freepers are just a few of the millions that appreciate his dedication and service to our country. That he made a tough call in a difficult situation speaks to his character. He didn't pass the buck. An honorable man IMO.

FGS

[Fearless Flyers]

Thanks for the follow up Jeff. Lt. Colonel West's career should not be allowed to be swept under the rug as happens to so many of our modern day heroes.

I understand why his honor and ethics forced him to bring his actions to the attention of authorities. But I can't understand what he did wrong.

He made an expressed threat towards an enemy wearing an allies uniform (an Iraqi police chief I believe) a spy. He did not physically abuse him, but used all the tools at his command to scare the Mohamed out of him. He showed him the power of a fire arm and taught him to respect the weapon.

I just don’t understand where the abuse is.

Lt. Colonel West and his family remain in my prayers, I'm grateful men like him exist and pray they continue to multiply and prosper. Without such men of honor, I would not have the freedom to be the offensive bastard I am. I know this and will never forget it.

Sincerely Matthew

[Triple]

Does the email mean that the LTCOL will accept retirement, and not face the Courts Martial?

If so, I have to say, I understand, but I'm disappointed.

I believe that accepting retirement would be denying the Army the opportunity to do the right thing.

Best Regards,

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

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....

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:

---

...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

~~~~~

(All Americans who think we could use LTC WEST on Capitol Hill, say "Aye!")

allen.west@us.army.mil

~~~~~~~~

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

*a*, taxpayer-funded military education / quitter ~ brutal, a rather LTC West-like tactic in defense of our nation. *g*

[MeekOneGOP]

Hey, alright ! Thanks for sharing the email, JH ! And for the ping ER ! ...

[Badray]

Thanks for the update and your efforts, Jeff.

I've written to my Senators and Representative and I just emailed LTC West. We need to uplift good men like this, not destroy them.

[colorado tanker]

Good work, Jeff.

[MEG33]

Thank you Jeff.God Bless Lt.Col West and his family.

[blam]

God bless LTC West and his family.

[Calpernia]

Ping.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Jeff. I hope knowing he has people who understand and support his actions helps LTC West some. I always believed that an Officer's first responsibilty is to protect the men under his command. LTC West did what was necessary to protect his men and fight the terrorists who follow no rules at all.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Thanks for the ping.