On Oct. 2, 2009 my nephew was critically wounded in Afghanistan by a Taliban insurgent posing as an Afghanistan National Police Officer. It was no accident. The Taliban infiltrated the ranks of this remote Forward Operating Base and in a targeted safe zone, my nephew and his fellow soldiers, when their Kevlar was removed, were shot at point blank by this enemy. Three soldiers died - my nephew was “the lucky one”.
Ssgt. Christian D. Hughes is at Walter Reed Hospital where he will undergo treatment for months to come. His sacrifice will not be forgotten by those who love him. It should not be forgotten by our country and those who represent us in Washington D.C.
On Monday Oct 5, 2009 an AP article regarding Retired General James Jones quoted him as saying “I don’t foresee the return of the Taliban. Afghanistan is not in imminent danger of falling. The al-Qaida presence is very diminished. The maximum estimate is less than 100 operating in the country, no bases, no ability to launch attacks on either us or our allies.”
Dear U.S. Congressional leaders; I find these statements offensive and totally unvalidated. I would like to know, has General Jones talked to my nephew? Has he talked to the parents of the 8 soldiers from my nephews platoon that were killed two days after Christian’s attack? How about the three that were killed the day Christian was wounded? How about the others that have been wounded or killed since?
Congressman Miller, you are my representative. I am asking that you press for answers to these questions. We must support our troops! We must give them the additional resources to fight this war to a successful end. We cannot afford to step away and allow more lives to be lost.
Please, I am requesting assistance from you Representative Miller and anyone else with the power and resources to take a stand for our young men and women fighting in harms way. Do not let our fight be in vain. We must provide the people and military equipment in Afghanistan. Now!
We cannot afford to debate this issue in the public arena with people that do not know the truth of what is happening in Afghanistan. The family of Army soldiers and the families of our other armed services know first hand what is happening in Afghanistan.
Your speedy response to support Army General Stanley McChrystal’s request for more troops much be acted on now. This is not a time to ponder and question strategy. You’ve been given the strategy by those on the ground and fighting this war.
