Open Letter to Lindy West Concerning Her Comment About "The American Sniper."

The comments to this article are closed at this point, but I have to make comment.  I am an American, and kept safe every day by those serving in the United States Military.  I know a lot of Military people, a few of them in my immediate family.  I have been  the wife of a Soldier serving in this present conflict, and in fact tonight my husband, who is now retired after 30 years in the United States Army, is in Iraq in his new position with the State Department. What America has asked of many of them, especially people like this man who served in the darkest places, performing the darkest jobs, is enough to break any person.  To have such articles and statements publicly printed after his death, when he can't even defend himself, becomes for me a personal obligation that I must address. The following link goes to the article written by Lindy West.  I first made many of these statements directly to Ms. West's Facebook page, as I am very certain she will never visit this blog, and I wanted to specifically address her.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/06/real-american-sniper-hate-filled-killer-why-patriots-calling-hero-chris-kyle

 Ms. West, I read your comment and article about who "the American Sniper" really was, and I am terribly interested in what research and sources you sought out before you made the statement that you did. I believe the quote was, "The real American Sniper was a hate-filled killer." Perhaps first I should explain why I am so interested. Several of my family members are, or were, members of the military during this present conflict. It is very easy to make accusations, I've made some of my own, but never without first hand knowledge of the accusations I made, or irrefutable evidence by reliable sources. You are a professional journalist, and I would very much like to know about how you came to your conclusions about Chris Kyle. I noticed that the tags on this post related to some of the hate filled responses you received to that comment. They were listed as, "Legal issue, Trolling, Hate speech, Offensive/Threatening language, etc..." I think that actually your statement, in and of itself, could be classified as any one of those things. So I am asking you to provide information about how you reached your conclusions. I personally have not seen the movie, read the book, nor do I have any personal knowledge of Chris Kyle. Just as I know that not all those who serve in the military are all that they ought to be, I also know that any person, especially one who is dead, can be maligned in The Information Age with little or no proof. On behalf of all those family members who have watched the sacrifices of their loved ones in service to this country in a war we did not start, and made sacrifices of their own, I am asking you for this information... Chris Kyle has a surviving family.

The official military records of Chris Kyle have been released through the Freedom of Information Act, and are readily available online.

https://www.muckrock.com/foi/united-states-of-america-10/chris-kyle-military-record-15881/ 

" A member of SEAL Team 3, Kyle served four tours in the Iraq War. In his time there, he is purported to have shot and killed more than 160 targets. He was awarded two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars, a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. He was honorably discharged in 2009." Quoted from USA Today.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/01/20/chris-kyle-american-sniper-fact-sheet/22046493/

There is a very interesting article from The New Yorker which addresses many of the accusations made against this man.

http://www.newyorker.com/mag.../2013/06/03/in-the-crosshairs 

  

Ms. West, have you ever known very closely someone who has served in combat? I am referring in particular to that kind of service where a man is kicking in doors, watching men die on either side of him, and having to defend his own life from the threat of imminent death while doing so?

I have known many such people. I understand a great deal about PTSD. No one who experiences war at the level that this man did is ever the same. I am sure you personally do not believe in war, however there are in particular approximately 1 million people in the Middle East who do believe in war, and who have declared it against our nation. They, with sincerity and devotion,which they are willing to give their lives for, wake up every morning intent on flying their flag from our nation's capitol. Ms. West, one of their first targets will be outspoken female journalists. They hate everything you stand for Ms. West, and would think nothing of taking your life, and doing so in the vilest way they can conceive of. That isn't the only area of the world where there are those who hate our country and all we stand for.

I can not imagine myself having to take the life of another person... yet I know that in order for our country and our people to be protected, there are those who intend us harm, who will be stopped by no other method than the taking of their lives. That fact is as old as humanity, and the answer to that problem does not lie in diplomacy... nor in compliance... nor even in prayer... Our enemies in the Middle East daily murder their own innocent countrymen... surely you understand they have no qualms about murdering our innocent countrymen. They have already proven that they do not.

Have you ever seen the 20/20 interview with Robin... or read the book by his wife...

http://abcnews.go.com/.../american-sniper-widow.../story... 

Ms. West, I think your callous evaluation reveals more about your character than his... and I seriously doubt that my words will mean anything to you, but I cannot state those two things as fact, as I do not know it as fact.

Some Soldiers Do Not Die on a Battlefield, but They Die in War None the Less

I have tried and tried to work on this blog post, but succeeded only in writing a sentence or so, and then I wind up crying these silent tears.  The tears begin flowing as I have never experienced crying, not a sound escapes me, just a river of tears, and I can't identify where they come from exactly.  Try as I may, I can't isolate the reason why I begin crying, or what I need to do to stop crying. I have reached the conclusion my heart and mind are both in mourning, mourning for too many reasons to clearly identify them all

I Lost It!

You know, when I heard that once again there was "a shooter on Ft. Hood," I lost it.  I had been shopping at Walmart, and as my daughter Meredith called to tell me of the situation, and that the young Soldier who was my son-in-law for many years was once again "sheltering in place" on that installation, the world around me grew surreal.  Everything went into slow motion, and as I observed those people gathering items and putting them in their carts, as though everything in the world was fine and dandy, I realized I was only about two hours away from Ft. Hood where the situation was occurring.  The men and women being wounded and killed were not in some foreign country somewhere far away, they were being wounded and dying two hours away from where I slowly pushed my cart through a Walmart, barely able to check out my purchases, as I realized that it was happening again.

I like to think of myself as a tough old Army wife, veteran of multiple deployments, experienced and capable in managing the knowledge that people I love are often in countries where they are targets of raging enemies full of hatred.  I am aware too, that there is a monster among our troops, PTSD, which sometimes takes hostage their brothers and sisters.   This illness can in fact threaten their safety as well as the safety of those of their brothers and sisters in arms who suffer this debilitating illness.  I have educated myself, keep pamphlets in the desk, 800 numbers on the frig, and we open our home to the military and their families as a place to get away for a while from the stresses related to service in our Military.  I want to think I am strong enough and have made sure to take advantage of the training and information available through the Army to successfully manage having a loved on in service.  I like to think that because I have gone even much further than that, to study and research the stresses which our Military face, to advocate for their care and support, because I realize that not all is as it should be, or as our government promises that it will be, concerning concerning their care.  I felt that knowledge and experience had given me the needed skills to respond to most of the situations military families face, but as I trembled and fumbled with the items in my cart, I was completely unaware of my surroundings.  I was only two hours away from dying Soldiers, from a Soldier who would take his own life, no longer able to cope, a Soldier who was known to have mental health issues.

I was able to speak with William, who was sheltering in place, and learn that he was safe, but that did not quiet my trembling, or stop the silent tears which began and lasted the thirty minute drive home.  I could not quite identify what they were about, they seemed to be about everything since 911.  Certainly they were about "another shooter at Ft. Hood  My daughter went to Ft. Hood in 1999, where she served for six years, and there she met William, a young Soldier too, and they were married.  After 911, Beth left Active Duty to serve in the civilian sector at Ft. Hood, and she continues in that area of service with the Army Corp of Engineers.  Their marriage recently dissolved, in part due to the strain of four deployments to the Middle East, which were early on, fifteen months in duration.  

I have another son-in-law who while stationed at Ft. Hood and deployed to Iraq , was seriously wounded, and he can no longer serve.  He misses service in the military every day, he would have been a "lifer," but as it was, twelve years were proudly given.  As I considered all my loved ones, friends, and extended family who have at one time or another called Ft. Hood home, and remembered all the times I have visited the installation and observed the sons and daughters of this country busy at their professional and heart calling to service in our Military, I continued to tremble.

At some point on the drive home, I began trying to get hold of myself.  Phone calls were coming and going concerning the situation, and I began considering all the ramifications which this incident was going to produce.  I began to try and exercise my willpower to bring my emotions into control, so that I might be able to help and comfort those directly affected by this senseless tragedy.

I have regained my composure, began the thinking concerning what the needs are going to be, and how long those needs were going to continue, and to consider how this could have happened.  I fear that there are places where blame lies.  I fear that there were things that could have been done, and should have been done, and they were not.  One thing I am certain of, while I am not directly affected, I am an American citizen, protected everyday by Soldiers serving at Ft. Hood, Texas, and I owe them my support, and I am obligated to demand answers concerning any short comings which occurred.

I will be writing about "another shooter at Ft. Hood" until I am certain that those affected have recovered, and all that can be done to prevent this from ever occurring again has been implemented, and is faithfully being administered.  For now, their are wounds to be bound, and I am not speaking of physical, and visible wounds, I am speaking of those wounds of the soul, which are sometimes more difficult to treat than the physical kind.

Before all else, my first action was to go to prayer before the Father, whose heart is always toward Soldiers, those who are willing to lay down their lives for another.  Father God understands laying down a life for another, and holds that act as the highest example of love and honor.  The next thing I have done toward this sacred duty is to call in order to obtain the mailing addresses where funds and resources can be sent in order to meet the immediate needs of those families affected by this tragedy.  I am going to share those resources as soon as the correct information is confirmed.  I hope to be of service to these families in many ways, after all, I am only two hours away.

Sometimes Life is Hard for All of Us

No matter how difficult the life situation, when I need comfort, all I have to do at Soldier's Heart, is go outside and be still.  There is a beautiful Bible verse that says, "Be still and know that I am God." The birds here offer a constant concert to the Lord; they sing of his love, power, and amazing grace. We live in a corridor that goes from the top of the planet to the bottom, animals of all kinds, including birds and butterflies travel this space, and many live here at the ranch year round. 

Help Me With a Name!

I'm entering into a partnership with someone who is going to really make a difference at the ranch!  Best of all, I bought a giant old tractor as our third partner. She's still got a lot of kick in her too!  I can't wait to get her home and get some work done on her!  She will need a new battery.  Got to clean her up, clean the rusty spots and hit them with some spray primer, and put a blade on her.  Of course she will have to have a name, can't be Ol' Blue however, we have  horse named Blue, and she would be offended!  So how about a little help, what should I name the new tractor?

I Often Comment on Stars and Stripes, I am Always Completely Honest

Seldom do my remarks get published on Stars and Stripes, or once they are published, remain up on the comments board, even though I am very civil. Stars and Stripes is the official news venue of the U.S. military.  So I am redacting the names of those I directed my comments and arguments at, and conducting an experiment concerning the opinion of those serving in the military, Veterans, and the families of the two aforementioned groups.  Here is the premise:

I believe that the ordinary person serving, or who has served,  in the United States Military,  believes as I do, that abuse of power is rampant in the leadership of our military, and that UCMJ is often nothing more than a kangaroo court.  Further, that as I believe, those serving are completely helpless to do anything about it, because of the threat that speaking truth poses to anyone serving.  So below you will find the commentary I observed and the remarks I made concerning their comments.

Person #1.  The UCMJ is finally revealed to be as bad as the failed GTMO military commissions. Results-oriented justice; absolutely no pretense at fairness. Any lawyer who participates in courts-martial today should be disbarred as furthering what amount to Stalinesque show trials. "Trust commanders to act impartially and prudently in sexual assault cases, Senator Gillibrand!" "Uhmmm. Wait a second. I guess JFK was right when he said during the naval blockade of Cuba that 'There's always some son-of-a-b*tch who doesn't get the message.'" If this doesn't prove that the UCMJ is a wretched joke, I don't know what does.

Person #2.  You obviously don't understand the UCMJ enough to be making those comments. Of course, the entire system could be wrong and you could be right. But I'll choose the system over you. What are missing is the "results" part. No one has directed a result. That would be unlawful command influence. Instead, what has been directed, for reasons none of us really know, is another investigation into the case. Gen Franklin and his lawyer decided not to go forward. Now another GCMCA will get to look at this. I don't know if this is validation exercise or if this shows no trust in Gen Franklin and his lawyer (who may be the same lawyer from the Aviano case that was dismissed). In any event, you have gone a little extreme in your conclusion of "Stalinesque" show trials. This hasn't even gone to trial - and may never go to trial.

#Me  You don't think that "directed results" prevail every hour of every day within the UCMJ? You don't believe that "unlawful command influence" happens every day? Why don't you get out from behind whatever desk or computer you are sitting behind and go find yourself some ordinary military personnel, and start asking them questions. Until we fix UCMJ and its' "Stalinesque" show trials, our military will not have the leadership it deserves. The visible miscarriages of justice aren't even the most dangerous effects of a broken UCMJ. It is the countless decisions made everyday under the influence of a system where the misuse of power is a constant threat to men and women of honorable character and service, which is the true problem. This isn't a joke, ("different spankings") it isn't the ravings of a lying nut job, (I always ignore all those little jabs, and outright slaps in the face, my life is an open book of long standing, and available to the world,) it is simple truth. Talk to the average service member. One time I pleaded with a retired CSM to report what he knew, knowing him to be such a person of honor. He replied, "Debra, an entire Division knew that was going on, you think any one person is capable of standing up to an entire Division of the United States Army?"
I do not believe anyone within the system can prevail against the current system to affect change. It will take Veterans and their families to set free the honor of the United States Military. It is currently being held hostage by UCMJ.

• Person #3 Person #1 has been one of the 'UCMJ is broke' folks. You will not convince otherwise.
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    Person #2. Thanks. Maybe he was once on the receiving end of the UCMJ or works for Sen Gillibrand.
    
    
    • Me: I take it that either one of those choices in your mind indicates lack of reason? Were you aware that Active Duty Marines threatened to harm Sen Gillibrand? Publicly, by way of facebook, daily for months, they threatened to sexually assault the Senator? Now, what would make anyone intelligent enough to make a Marine, without fear of those actions?

Since I know my remarks will be short lived on Stars and Stripes, I am making my comments on my own blog.

If you do not know, Stars and Stripes is the "official" voice of the military... in other words, under the thumb of present leadership.

So, if you are an ordinary Veteran, family member, or active duty service member, and you agree with me,... or not, I would suggest you find your way to this article and comment as a guest concerning your own observations.

http://www.stripes.com/news/air-force-removes-lt-gen-franklin-from-sexual-assault-case-1.258268#comment-1213661877

I venture they will shut down the comments within an hour if the tide prevails in the wrong direction... but that would be telling as well, would it not?

The Welfare of Those Serving is Responsibility of Us All

The true problem with all of these miliatary sexual assault cases is about justice as a whole in UCMJ as administered under some of the current leadership. We can't trust everyone at the helm of every ship, and those serving, and their families, have no control over what ship they are put on.  I sincerely believe military justice under UCMJ is the business of every American, and we can demand and get fair and just treatment for all those serving, further, it is our sacred duty to accomplish the same.  

This is a favorite quote of mine, from one of my favorite writers.  

"You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth of falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to YOU. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it?" C.S. Lewis.

I Don't Know About the Rest of You...

http://www.stripes.com/report-sexism-part-of-military-academies-culture-1.261301

I don't know about the rest of you, but I will not stand for it.  I am a mother, and we mothers endeavor to instill in our children values, honor, and character.  How dare the military academies fail to uphold our standards.  We do not lend our sons and daughters to the United States Military without the expectation that an even higher standard will be taught and practiced.  I demand that accountability be enforced at the highest levels. If you are in leadership, and incapable of enforcing the standards which are the stated guiding principles of each of the branches of service, you are not the man or woman for the job.  Step aside and allow those who are to lead.  Just because you are selected as a general office, does not mean you have the skills, character, and devotion to sacred duty to be a general officer, as so many have recently proven.

I watch those commercials on television where you use parents interacting with their sons and daughters, every insinuation, every direct message, every nuance of language indicates you will promote and permit only honorable behavior among the troops.  However, recent courts martials indicate that while leadership seems to now be returning to promoting honor by enforcing accountability, there has been a period of overall failure of Army leadership.

Once again the headlines indicate not all is right, and in the highest institutions of leadership training.  How possibly can those of the youngest coming into military service be expected to serve honorably in all they do, if you are allowing their future leaders to be influenced and trained by leadership which cannot within the restrictive environment of the service academies control this particular neglect of honor?  Who is at the wheel?  What about their own lives, skills, and character allows this? Is it that even though you preach something different, you do not believe overall honor to be an achievable goal among the recruits of West Point, therefore it falls from the focus of your mission?  I know many graduates of West Point, and I am here to tell you devotion to sacred duty and honor is achievable.  There are graduates from decades ago, when popular thinking was against women in the military, who easily embrace and practice equal respect for all serving in our military, and they are skilled enough in leadership, that they can and do enforce it among those they lead.

Find This Web Site, You Will Be Inspired

 

I love the scripture that says, "A three fold cord is not quickly broken," which represents God's promise that a marriage anchored in His love has an advantage.  Certainly the marriage of this young couple portrays this love anchored in His love.
My husband served 30 years, two of those years in Afghanistan and Iraq.   We have son-in-law who didn't have a wife when he was seriously wounded in Iraq in 2003, so I have some knowledge of the sacrifice this young couple has endured.  I am sure the young Soldier in this video knows the blessing that a godly wife brings to the life of a man.

To avoid his mother being upset and worried, our son-in-law didn't even tell her he had been wounded as he recovered for months at Ft. Sam Houston, about four hours from where she lived.  How lucky this young Soldier is, and how lucky my son-in-law is today, for God has gifted him with a loving wife, and her whole family's love and respect as well.  He is a hero, as is this young man, in every sense of the word.  He suffers still today the physical effects of his wounds, although they are not readily visible, but his heart long ago triumphed over them.  

My husband continues to serve in Iraq with the State Department, determined that the ground gained in Iraq and Afghanistan against terror in the world, and those who commit it, will not be lost.  Today in Afghanistan our troops are still on the ground, still in harms way, still sacrificing every day.  Keep them, and those who struggle, having paid the price for the ground thus gained, in your prayers, and look for ways which you can support them now.

From 1 Corinthians 13

New International Version (NIV)

 1.  If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

 2.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

 3.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 4.  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

 5.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

 6.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

 7.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 8.  Love never fails.  But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; whee there is knowledge, it will pass away.

 9.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10. but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

11.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

12.  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;  then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13.  And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.