Black Soldiers' Lives Matter Too!

Patriots from 5 states gathered on Tuesday, September 27th outside the Cannon Building in Washington D.C. to try to get interest and support from Congress to help Sgt. Derrick Miller.

Despite a mid-day vote, with hundreds of Congressmen and Senators walking past the group led by Derrick’s parents, few were willing to even look this mother in the eye let alone learn about how they can help Sgt. Miller. Derrick’s mother Renee took her stand on the corner after a frustrating 3 years of trying to get the support of Maryland Democrats, including Derrick’s own Congressman Chris Van Hollen. They have all been unwilling to fight for Derrick’s freedom although they enjoy the freedom he helped provide. A few Congressmen did take the time to hear about the travesty of Derrick’s situation including Congressmen Dave Reichert (R-WA), Jeff Miller (R-FL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Peter King (R-NY) Steve Russell (R-OK), Ralph Lee Abraham, Jr. (R-LA), Brian Babin (R-Texas), and a staffer for Frank Guinta (R-NH). Congressman Babin gave Renee unhurried time in his office to hear more in-depth details of Derrick’s story.

Notice anything about what follows each name above? Not a single democrat stopped by. They wouldn’t even look these parents in the eyes. Despite passing giant signs of a man in uniform, very few congressmen or staffers felt compelled to even ask why their fellow Americans, their constituents, had gathered.

Last week we took a stand on the Cannon Bldg corner in DC for relief for Sgt. Derrick MIller, currently serving a life sentence in Leavenworth for his defensive actions on the battlefield in Afghanistan on September 26, 2010. We were well received by many Representatives who passed by on Tuesday and Wednesday, and all expressed support in our efforts to help Sgt. Miller. On Thursday, we took our efforts indoors and visited all 35 offices of the Republican House Armed Services Committee Members. We also dropped info at the offices of Congressman Moulton and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth.

You might ask yourself why only Republican offices. Surely, support for Soldiers who risk their lives to keep us all safe should not be a partisan issue, right? One would think that all Representatives would be on board to seek relief for one of our Son's from Leavenworth, especially since this administration is releasing terrorists from Gitmo who have murdered Americans. The answer is that for the past 3 years, Derrick's parents and I have made several trips to DC attempting to form a Maryland Delegation of Representatives to support a reduction in the life sentence Sgt. Miller is serving, but to no avail. As Derrick is from Maryland, that is the protocol to follow. When we worked to secure Michael Behenna’s release from Leavenworth, we received support from an Oklahoma Delegation of Representatives (they all happened to be Republicans who stepped up) and John Hatley has a Texas Delegation supporting him in his release from Leavenworth.

After many months of correspondence and meetings with Congressman Van Hollen’s office, the Congressman sent a letter in 2014 to Major Gen William Rapp, Chief Army Legislative Liaison. We had explained to Congressman Van Hollen, in a face to face meeting, that ALL Appeals had been exhausted and that is why we were seeking his help. We explained to him that the family had already been to the last line of appeal, the CAAF Court (Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces), and the appeal for relief was denied. I quote Congressman Van Hollen’s request in his letter to the Army: “Given the complicated circumstances concerning Sgt. Miller's conviction, I am requesting your consideration of whether a reduction in length of sentence is warranted.” We asked Congressman Van Hollen to fight for a reduction in Derrick's sentence. Some fight, huh? The Army's response to the Congressman was that Derrick's mother could seek relief from the CAAF court. Congressman Van Hollen, who we had already told all appeals including the CAAF Court were exhausted, sent Derrick's mother a letter telling her she could go to the CAAF Court to appeal. He tells her in his letter he knows this isn't what she hoped to hear and wishes her the best in seeking relief for her son. And that was end of Congressman Van Hollen’s help for Sgt. Miller.

After chasing Congressman Cumming’s office for 2 years, his rep sent a letter on June 3rd, 2016 to the Acting Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy, (I never understood sending to the “Acting” Secretary when Eric Fanning had already been appointed as the Secretary of the Army) asking for a clemency hearing for Derrick. That letter was also signed by the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (individual members would not sign). There has been no response in 4 months and no follow-up by Cumming’s office to date for an answer.

We sought help and met with other offices in Maryland and received no help whatsoever. One office in particular, staffer Chris Schloesser in Congresswoman Donna Edwards, was unbelievably lacking of any compassion. When I asked him what he had to say to this mother sitting before him who cries herself to sleep at night because her brave Soldier stays locked up in Leavenworth while this President is releasing terrorists out of Gitmo, he curtly and with a raised voice told us “But we're trying to close Gitmo!” His brother and father are big in the 101st Airborne and he said he would look into helping us. We NEVER heard from him again and you can be sure we followed up.

I think it is important, at this point in our efforts, to share the truth regarding the lack of support among the reps in Maryland for one of their own Sons who volunteered for 3 deployments overseas. He fought for their safety, and they have failed to fight for him. It is disgraceful.

We have now turned our efforts toward Republicans and already they are asking for info and transcripts.

We met with several Republican Congressmen who offered support for relief in the stringent life sentence Derrick is serving. Congressman Gohmert stated he will go and see Derrick in Leavenworth and Congressman Reichert is working on a letter to President Obama. Other offices offered their help and support.

All whom we met with expressed sympathy to Renee and consolation that they will do what they can to get some relief for Derrick. All agreed it is unfair that Derrick and other American Sons continue to sit in Leavenworth with no relief while Gitmo detainees are being released in record numbers from Gitmo.

My special thanks to Katie, Chris, Chad, Cindy, Phil, Dave (a survivor of the Marine Barracks bombing, what an honor to meet him), Darrell, and our very special thanks to John Moloy, Chairman of the National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition for bringing his Coalition's support and their beautiful banner to carry on the corner! The support of all these Patriots and this wonderful organization means the world to Sgt. Miller and his family.

And a very special thank you to Jim Hoft of Gateway Pundit for posting several articles about Sgt. Miller and especially, a big thank you for the article posted while we were in DC. Gateway Pundit ALWAYS supports our Troops and we thank you Jim!

You can read the Gateway Pundit article here:

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2016/09/black-soldiers-lives-matter-too/

Lastly, to Andrew Marcus and Rebel Pundit, thank you for coming to DC to cover our action on the Cannon Bldg. corner. It has been a long hard fight to free Derrick Miller and the support of people like you from across this great country means a lot to his family, and I know to all all those who serve to protect us. On a side note, Jeremy no sooner arrived in DC and he had to catch a flight right back home as his daughter was about to be born. He made it!! Congratulations Jeremy and Anne! Another great Patriot born to wonderful parents!

We need YOUR help and support now, more than ever. We do believe we raised quite a bit of “awareness” up on the hill and it would help tremendously if each of you on this email string would call your Congressmen and Senators this week and ask them to sign the letter Congressmen Reichert is composing regarding Sgt. Miller. This will help tremendously and it will reinforce the Congressmen who are willing to take a stand for one of our Sons who deployed 3 times to keep us all safe!

Please also forward this email to all your lists.

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