User:MVet56

Dear Senator,

According to an article from the associated press date 10/13/09, John Bernard a retired Marine whose son, 21 year old Lance Cpl Joshua Bernard was killed in an insurgent ambush in Afghanistan, questions how we are conducting the war (the strategy). You may remember Joshua, because the Associated Press published photos of the dying Marine against his father's wishes.

In that article it is disclosed that General Stanley McChrystal imposed a "new rules of engaging the enemy"! The "new rules" call for "limited use of air strikes & require troops to break off combat when civilians are present, even if it means letting the enemy escape". HU?? What?? Hold back?

As a Vietnam era vet., brother of a fallen Vietnam vet, a father of a son heading out to Afghanistan shortly, I thank Mr. Bernard for mustering so much courage, to speak out! I will never, ever forget what you & your son have given / done serving our country so profoundly for so many years and appreciate your honest candor! Thank you Mr. Bernard!

Does Gen. Stanley McChrystal know that he is repeating one of the major mistakes of the Vietnam War! That's right! After the politicians got involved following the Tet Offensive, Air support had to radio in for permission PRIOR to returning fire! Another words, the enemy could shoot at us but we had to "phone-in" for permission to return fire... We will never know how many military people paid the ultimate price for this flawed policy!

Mr. Bernard is 100% correct! "Marines are trained to kill people & break things, not to be police officers and nation-builders"! We place our son's & daughters in harms way with the very best equipment and aviation support and tell them "don't defend your self"? Hu??

Not acceptable!! Let’s not "repeat history"! Let the military do what we trained them to do or bring them ALL HOME!

Mr. President & Joint Chief’s - Nation building is NOT our mission! Go to the UN for that and they can "pony-up" what is needed.

To be crystal clear on my point, according to Wikipedia encyclopedia, "Colonialism is the building and maintaining of colonies in one territory by people from another territory"! Is that our mission?? Hmm? What are we doing and why is a General driving a "nation building" agenda at the expense of one single American solder's life? He's out of line! He needs to be a General, not a politician!

Mr. Senator, please, please make sure Battlefield Generals & our solders are allow not to repeat flawed historic mistakes that will cost another American to die on foreign soil. If you put our children in harm's way, I expect them to defend themselves with all the might that we, as a Nation can muster. If we are choosing to not use those tools, then it is time to bring them home!

Do you understand Mr. Senator?

02:46, 15 October 2009 (UTC)MVet56 (talk)