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LTC Allen B. West 4th Infantry Division, Iraq Allen West Defense Fund
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LTC Allen B. West 4th Infantry Division, Iraq Allen West Defense Fund
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Letters & Essays Index News Links Player Contact Info Feedback / Contact Back to YAP's front door |
Sign the Petition on behalf of LTC West
Feedback Form letters, notes and opinions 11/04/03 -- Our military is going to hell in a handbasket. What is about to happen to LTC West is disgraceful. Please me know in what way I can support Col West. Col West is the type of officer that we need in our armed forces today.
Dick Norris, SFC
Retired Army Special ForcesTo the Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense,
As a naval veteran of the Korean war and a politically aware citizen of the United States, I'm outraged that the U.S. Government is considering disciplinary action against Lt. Col. Allen B. West, for his actions in Iraq.
The United States is not fighting a conventional war against a conventional enemy, but rather a war against terrorists who don't observe the conventions of the Geneva Convention. What Lt. Col. West did was trivial compared to the actions of terrorists. He should be awarded the highest possible medal for his concern about the safety of those under his command.
Salt Lake City, UT, USAThank you Steve for the eloquent letter sent to DOD. Just a little something that struck me as I was listening to the President's speech today in London.
"Those in authority, however, are not judged only by good motivations. The people have given us the duty to defend them and that duty sometimes requires the violent restraint of violent men. In some cases, the measured use of force is all that protects us from a chaotic world ruled by force." -U.S. President George W. Bush Delivered at Whitehall Palace in London on Nov. 19, 2003.
Sure would seem hyprocritical if he lets LTC West go down for essentially the same principles he (and I) supports. LTC West deserves a medal.
Harrison, Miami, FL11/20/03 -- Saving Lt. Col. Allen West In the defense of Lt. Col. Allen B. West I find that the military charges and the pursuit of charges under UCMJ Article 128 is unjust, unfair and run counter to other articles of the UCMJ.
Article 128. “(A) Any person subject to this chapter who attempts or offers with unlawful force or violence to do bodily harm to another person, whether or not the attempt or offer is consummated is guilty of assault and shall be punished as a court-marshal may direct.
899. Art. 99. Misbehavior before the enemy.
“Any person subject to this chapter who before or in the presence of the enemy….
(8) willfully fails to do his utmost to encounter, engage, capture or destroy any enemy troops, combatants, vessels, aircraft or other thing, which is his duty so to encounter, engage, capture or destroy, or….
(9) does not afford all practicable relief and assistance to any troops, combatants, vessels, or aircraft, of the armed forces belonging to the United States or their allies when engaged in battle, shall be punished by death or such punishment as a court-marital may direct.”
It is the prosecution, “…who before or in the presence of the enemy…(8) willfully fails to do his utmost to encounter,” or “..engage…any enemy troops, combatants…which is his duty so to encounter, engage...or, (9)..does not afford all practicable relief and assistance to any troops, combatants, vessels, or aircraft of the armed forces belonging to the United States or their allies when engaged in battle…”
As for perhaps the charge under Article 128. Simple Assault? “(A) That the accused attempted or offered to do bodily harm to a certain person and…(B) that the attempt or offer was done with unlawful force or violence.”
Was this attempt unlawful or was Lt. Col. West doing his duty? “(8)…which is his duty to encounter, engage…afford all practicable relief and assistance to any troops, combatants…of the armed forces belonging to the United States or the allies when engaged in battle..”
Even the charge of Simple Assault cannot be considered as valid. As Lt. Col. Allen B. West testified, it was not the intent. There was no intent. Therefore there was not an attempt or offer with unlawful force or violence to do bodily harm, which surely would have brought definite and serious UCMJ charges. In battle, in the presence of the enemy, is Allen West guilty of unlawful force? 899 Art. 99 suggests he is not! And court-martial charges under Article 128, as illustrated, cannot be justified. Lt. Col. Allen West clearly considered his position and duty to defend the United States against all enemies.
I therefore oppose any and all actions that do not restore Lt. Col. Allen West to his honorable military status.
William H. Heino Sr.
Frankfort, Illinois11/20/03 -- LTC WEST SHOULD BE AWARDED A MEDAL FOR BEING A GREAT PATRIOT.
James White, Monette, ARAs a NCO in the military, I am fed up with those gutless chairborne commandos puting REAL AMERICANS LIKE COL WEST OUT TO DRY. As far as I am concearned, he did what should have been done and should be done more often so that some of those soldiers could still be alive today. We need to stop letting these BALL-LESS PC SCUMBAGS DICTATE OPERATIONS THAT REAL OFFICERS LIKE COL WEST SHOULD BE RUNNING. The military needs many more officers like col West not the fraud pc shitheads like wes clark. I would fight along side col West any place in the world at any time. Any thing I can do to help col west please let me know. Keep your head high, sir.
Hyde Park, MA"As a mother of a soldier soon to be in Iraq, I only pray their are more heroic men like LTC West. Commanders who put their men first, before the bureacracy brought on by politicians who have no clue what war is, or what it's like to have a loved one in a war zone. I find it astonishing how the United States is held accountable for actions supporting the Geneva convention, while other nations are not even when we were not one of the signatures. It is men like LTC West who realize the travesties brought on by the terrorist regime in Iraq and will not sacrifice my son for the good of political "correctness". These men realize what is necessary to protect their troops in a time of war and are not afraid to do so."
LeeAnna Frank, McDonough, GAI AM OUTRAGED THAT THIS OFFICER,WHO SHOULD BE DEEMED A HERO AND RECEIVE A MEDAL FOR PERFORMING HIS DUTY AND SAVING HIS TROOPS,IS BEING CHARGED ON A NIT=PICKING,"CHICKEN",TECHNICALITY RE THE UCMJ. HE DID NOT PHYSICALLY HARM HIS PRISONER,HE ONLY USED A WEAPON TO FRIGHTEN HIM INTO PROVIDING INFO WHICH SAVED MANY LIVES.
OUR ENEMIES ARE KILLING OUR TROOPS,SLITTING THEIR THROATS,BEATING THEM MERCILESSLY WHILE PRISONERS(60 MINUTES-SUN 23, 03)AND VIOLATING EVERY TENET OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS;YET SOME COMMANDER HAS DECIDED TO PUNISH OUR HERO OFFICER TO SHOW THE ENEMY THAT WE PLAY BY THE RULES,WHILE THEY PLAY BY NO RULES. THIS SOLDIER SHOULD BE HONORED AND RECOGNIZED FOR SERVING HIS COUNTRY WELL.
DANIEL F. KOSLOFFMD COL USAF MC (RET), BLUFFTON, SC USACONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN. WRITE OR EMAIL SEC'Y OF DEFENSE RUMSFIELD AND ACTING SEC'Y OF THE ARMY BROWNLEE URGING THEM THAT THESE PROCEEDINGS BE HALTED AT ONCE. WWW.ARMY.MIL/LEADERS.
GLEN J. PERRY, FORT DIX, N.J. USAI WRITE IN SUPPORT OF LTC ALLEN B WEST'S ACTIONS. THESE ARE NOT ORDINARY TIMES. HOW CAN WE EXPECT OUR TROOPS TO FIGHT WITH THEIR HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACKS? TERRORISTS ARE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE HAVE NO RULES (THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT THEIR LIVES). IF WEST HAD SHOT THE DETAINEE (I MIGHT HAVE SHED A SMALL TEAR), HE DID NOT. HE SAVED LIVES.
WHERE IS OUR PRESIDENT?
Philip Worl, Honolulu, HI, USAI don't know where to start!!! I am really upset!! This man should be given a parade instead of what he has gone through. With ALL of the things they DID to OUR troops how can we even consider doing this to LTC Allen B. West. How many of our men were saved by his actions....if it was only one it still warrented what he did. You do what you have to do within reason and as far as I'm concerned he was WELL within reason. I'm PROUD to be an American but hearing something like this puts a a very large dent in that pride. And if this decision is NOT reversed maybe it's time to move to Canada. My hopes and prayers are that this decison is reversed and ALL of my support is with LTC Allen B.West.
JUST DO WHAT'S RIGHT!
Thomas Williams, Wayland, MII think it is outrageous that charges are even being filed against LTC Allen B. West!! He was defending our country and our freedom! His life was on the line every minute of the day and we should thank him for doing what he did! He may have saved many American lives.
All charges against him should be dropped and let him serve the rest of his career in the military as a hero!
Michelle Jones, Grand Rapids, MILt. Col. West deserves a medal, not disciplinary action. You defeat an enemy with force, not mollycoddling. Several decades ago the most powerful military in the world was defeated by it's own political leaders who allowed a rag tag bunch of third world revolutionaries to determine the outcome of a conflict that we could have, and should have, won. Didn't we learn anything from that experience?
Despite any sugar coating that may be applied a military's (ANY military's) primary duty is to break things and kill people. We spend an enormous amount of time and money training our military to win in any situation then discipline them when they do. Colonel West's actions did what had to be done and by doing so apparently (a negative cannot be proven) prevented the loss of yet more American lives. As a former military man I can say without reservation that I would have watched for a strong leader of Col. West's caliber and hoped to find myself under his leadership. Disciplinary action in this instance would be a travesty.
John AshburnThe actions against Col. WEST by the U.S. Army is discraceful. Here's a MAN that is truly a rare breed; one who is concerned & devoted to his country and committed to protecting the soldiers he's responsible for. This magnificant modern-day Patton saved the lives of countless soldiers who served under him. He was more concerned with his men than his own career. I would NOT have wanted my son serving under a spineless self centered perfume prince type of Commander because my Son most likely would NOT be coming home alive in this case. Col. WEST is a real hero who deserves the Silver or Bronze Star, a meritorious promotion to General, and a huge hug from every Mother & Father of those young soldiers who are still alive because of his brave initiative against the scum enemy who want all us Americans dead. THANK YOU & GOD BLESS YOU COL. ALAN B. WEST !
Kevin J. Reilly, Kingston, WAPlease send greenbacks for LTC Allen B. West:
Allen West Defense Fund
c/o Angela West
6823 Coleman drive
Fort Hood, TX 76544
I just sent a check. Man do I feel good about that.
He and his family are in my prayers.
Sevoguy, Cary, NCI don't understand!! It seems the Americans always have to abide by rules of war, but the bad guys can do whatever they please. I would back/follow this decorated Lt Col to hell and back.
Marshall Ritchey, Mililani, HILTC West-
When I learned of how you had prevented untold American casualties and the subsequent reaction to your actions, I can only say in "public" terms that I was, and still am, totally outraged. I absolutely can not see how anyone can look at what you did and see anything other than an heroic act. To court martial you is an injustice so great that it simply defies description. To paraphrase Gen. George Patton... maybe you should have kissed the bastard.
It, once again, appears that someone in charge has received his "spine-ectomy". Sir, as a former military officer, I would follow your lead with no reservation; I'm convinced the men under your command feel the exact same way. As to the person, or persons, that brought these charges against you, I wouldn't follow them to the bathroom. This country needs more men like you. I am deeply saddened your military career could end this way. I pray cooler heads will prevail, however, and you will get full retirement and benefits.
I end by saying simply this, as an officer, I salute you; as an American citizen, I thank you. May God bless you and your family.
Kevin Umstaedter
Spanish Fort, ALI served as a communications specialist for LTC West, for 5 months in Iraq, attached to HHS 2-20 FA. There is no other person that I can think of that is more professional than he is. I know that what he did there was in the best interest of his unit. I would be damn proud to work for him anytime.
Greg Neyland, Little Elm , TexasPlease let folks know that a full treatment of the 'West Affair' is available on my web site at The New Totalitarians web site.
The 'West Affair' is much more than the treatment the Army has visited on Col. West and his family. It is much more important to the survival of American civilization than the hardship it has caused West and his family. It is vital that all Americans understand that the travesty which we have allowed to happen to Col. West portends a future in which our nation's courageous warriors are purged from the service and America will not be able to defend itself against resourceful and determined enemies in the future. West should have been commended, honored and promoted for his actions in the 'West Affair.' Read the detailed arguments for this at the link above.
Gerald L. Atkinson
Camp Springs, MD
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