AMVETS, Veterans Community, Condemn DoD for Breaking Sacred Promise with POW/MIA Families

WASHINGTON (July 13, 2011) — President Obama is a strong supporter of our nation’s veterans, military and their families, as well as the families of almost 88,000 missing servicemen and civilians, yet some within his Administration do not share that same level of commitment.

They would instead disregard White House guidance and abandon a Presidential Commission that was created in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin — and supported by every American president since — to help determine the fates of Americans who disappeared behind the Iron Curtain. They would also recall a multiyear budget submission for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), whose worldwide mission to recover and identify America’s fallen is stretched thin by manning constraints and laboratory space.

After nine months of broken promises, we cannot sit quietly and allow senior officials in the Department of Defense to redirect funding, transfer researchers and linguists, and jeopardize any possibility of mission success for the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs. The Defense Department had previously agreed to reinstate by the end of June what it had taken from the Joint Commission, but to date, DOD has chosen to ignore the policy and funding recommendations made by the White House Office of Management and Budget and the National Security Council.

Such actions will negate 19 years of slow but increasingly steady progress that has permitted U.S. investigators to access Russia’s central military archives and to interview potential eyewitnesses. Such actions will also contradict a show of support by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who last month appointed a new co-chairman and more than 30 commissioners to their side of the Joint Commission.

Ongoing DOD actions will make it nearly impossible for our government to locate information and/or remains to help determine the fates of hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans who may have perished in the former Soviet Union or in the lands of their allies during World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War. The Defense Department’s actions will help ensure mission failure, which will render the Joint Commission expendable, all because DOD wants to control a Presidential Commission instead of strongly supporting it.

We also cannot acquiesce to a relook of JPAC’s budget, which in these austere fiscal times means reduced funding. Congress has mandated that JPAC begin recovering and identifying 200 or more MIAs annually by 2015. This is more than double their current success rate, and without increased funding, it will be an impossible goal to reach.

When President Obama spoke at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, he reminded us of the debt America and the entire world owes to our military — for their benevolence as well as their resolve. He honored the memory, service and sacrifice of those men and women who gave their all, and he offered assurances to thousands of Americans who continue to seek answers — the families of almost 78,000 missing and unaccounted-for from World War II, 8,000 from Korea, 1,680 from Vietnam, and one each from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the countless veterans who served by their side.

Our nation’s fullest possible accounting mission is a national priority that the president is committed to, a mission that other nations wish they could emulate, and a mission in which success can only be measured by recovering, identifying, and returning those we send to war back to their families and to their country.

On behalf of millions of members of our nation’s largest, oldest, and most influential veterans and POW/MIA family organizations, we call upon President Obama to immediately direct DOD to restore funding and personnel to the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission, and to protect JPAC’s proposed budgets. We also urge our fellow veterans and their families, as well as all Americans, to contact the president and their members of Congress to urge them to live up to our nation’s sacred obligation to never leave a service member behind.

//signed//

James B. King, National Executive Director, American Veterans
Barry A. Jesinoski, Executive Director, Disabled American Veterans
Herb Rosenbleeth, Col., USA-Ret., Executive Director, Jewish War Veterans of the USA
Michael A. Blum, Executive Director, Marine Corps League
Ann Mills-Griffiths, Executive Director, National League of POW/MIA Families
Peter S. Gaytan, Executive Director, The American Legion
Robert E. Wallace, Executive Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
Richard F. Weidman, Executive Director for Policy & Government Affairs Vietnam Veterans of America

Contact information:
AMVETS, Jay Agg, 301-683-4035; DAV, Thom Wilborn, 202-314-5221; Jewish War Veterans, Herb Rosenbleeth, 202-265-6280; Marine Corps League, Mike Blum, 703-207-9588; National League of POW/MIA Families, Ann Mills-Griffiths, 703-465-7432; The American Legion, Craig Roberts, 202-263-2982; VFW, Joe Davis, 202-608-8357; and Vietnam Veterans of America, Mokie Porter, 301-585-4000

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will recap the weekend's acknowledgments of 9/11 by AMVETS posts and departments around the country, including National Commander Jerry Hotop's remarks on 9/11 in Illinois.

We will also follow AMVETS National Legislative Department to Capitol Hill as the House Committees on Veterans Affairs reconvenes to hear testimony on personality disorder discharges, Post-9/11 G.I. Bill implementation, VA claims processor training, and pending veterans' legislation.

AMVETS leaders will also participate in this week's summit of veterans organizations and military organizations hosted by VA.

AMVETS National Legislative Department also continues to compile the 2010 symposium report from the recent AMVETS Symposium for 21st Century Veterans hosted at the national convention in Louisville, Ky.

This Friday, American Veteran will also follow Cmdr. Hotop back to his home state of Missouri where he will participate in the St. Louis Cardinals salute to America's POW/MIA in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Friday, Sept. 17.

AMVETS leaders in Washington will also be on hand Friday at the Pentagon for the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates' ceremony honoring America's POW/MIA.

As always, please let us know what you think by commenting on this blog, and if you have photos or stories that you would like us to share, please send us an e-mail.

Missing Sailors Identified; One Killed

This morning, Military Times reported that the two sailors captured last week by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been identified. One of the sailors was killed in the attack on the two men's armored sport utility vehicle in Logar province, Afghanistan on July 23.

The sailor who remains missing was identified as Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove, 25, of Renton, Wash. The Pentagon said that efforts to find Newlove are ongoing.

The sailor who was killed in the attack was identified as Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley, 30, of Wheatridge, Colo. The Pentagon said McNeley's body was successfully recovered by coalition forces on July 25, two days after the sailor went missing.

Newlove is the third American service members listed as "Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown," or DUSTWUN, along with Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, who was captured by the Taliban last year, and Army Sgt. Ahmed Altaie, who disappeared in Iraq in 2008.

AMVETS leaders mourned the death of McNeley, but applauded the efforts of coalition forces ensuring he was not left behind. AMVETS also condemned the capture of Newlove and continued to call on the departments of Defense and State to do everything in their power to ensure the safe return of all America's missing service members.

"We owe it to our brave military men and women to ensure that no one is left behind on the battlefield and AMVETS hopes that the Pentagon and the State Department will exhaust any and all resources to make sure our POWs and those missing-in-action are brought home," said AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Petty Officers McNeley and Newlove, and we hope that Newlove can be found and brought home safely."

The Pentagon said that the July 23 incident is still under investigation and American Veteran will continue to follow the story as it continues to develop.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran we will discuss partner Paws With A Cause, which recently placed another assistance dog with a deserving disabled veteran. We will also discuss the ongoing search for two missing service members in Afghanistan--one of whom the Taliban has claimed to have killed in an ambush late last week.

Though the two missing service members have not been identified yet, AMVETS leaders have consistently called on the departments of Defense and State to exercise all options in ensuring that all our missing/captured service members are returned safely--including Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl and Army Sgt. Ahmed Altaie, who each remain POW/MIA.

This week, AMVETS will also be on hand for VA Forum on Women Veterans, taking place at the Women's Memorial outside of Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof will participate in the day's discussions, addressing one of AMVETS' top legislative priorities for 2010.

This week, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs will host three critical hearings this week, which AMVETS will be watching closely. On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations will host a hearing on Gulf War illness. On Wednesday, the full committee will discuss ongoing oversight and inadequate cost control measures within VA. On Thursday, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will discuss licensure and credentialing.

As these hearings draw closer, we will bring you links to live video on this blog along with details from each discussion.

This week, we will also be bringing you highlights from the summer issue of American Veteran magazine, which should be arriving in your mailboxes shortly.

As always, we're eager to hear from you to let us know how we're doing, so please leave your comments on the posts. Also please feel free to share your stories with us to highlight on the blog and within the pages of American Veteran magazine.

AMVETS to Join in Memorial Day Honors from Coast to Coast

On Memorial Day, AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin will join in ceremonies honoring America's fallen heroes across the nation's capitol, including the national wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

AMVETS will also host four wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the day's events in Washington, D.C.

AMVETS Riders from around the country will also converge on the nation's capitol for the annual Run for the Wall, honoring America's prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. American Veteran is accompanying the riders on the final leg of their journey from Norfalk, Va., to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

AMVETS posts and departments around the country will also play host to special events for Memorial Day, honoring the brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. These events range from parades to memorial services, speeches and barbecues for veterans and their loved ones.

Memorial Day is one of the most significant holidays to AMVETS, honoring America's fallen heroes. To read AMVETS' official statement for Memorial Day 2010, Click Here.

Next week, American Veteran will bring highlights of AMVETS' Memorial Day commemorations, and we encourage all AMVETS posts and departments to share your Memorial Day photos and stories with us for American Veteran Online and the summer print edition of American Veteran magazine.

Speicher laid to rest; Pfc. Bergdahl remains in our prayers

Last week, Navy Capt. Michael Speicher was laid to rest in Jacksonville, Fla. The F-18 pilot had been missing since he was shot down over Iraq during the early stages of Operation Desert Storm.

The thoughts and prayers of AMVETS leadership remain with the family of Speicher, as they finally have closure on the whereabouts of their loved one.

Through the hard work of Department of Defense forensics teams and troops serving on the ground in Iraq, Speicher has finally returned home.

During the recent AMVETS National Convention in New Orleans, AMVETS members from across the country voted on a resolution continuing to call on the Departments of State and Defens to continue to do everything in their power to ensure that all POW/MIA service members have the same opportunity to return home.

While AMVETS remains dedicated to continuing to search for fallen comrades from previous conflicts around the world, AMVETS also renews the call to find Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, the young soldier being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Though Bergdahl's name has dropped out of the headlines, we must continue to demand that our leaders remain focused on finding him and returning him to his unit and his family.

Pfc. Bergdahl and his family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

-Ryan

(Photo: Top: Members of a Navy Honor Guard carry the remains of Speicher to All Saints Chapel in Jacksonville, Fla. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Leah Stiles, released. Bottom: Official U.S. Army photo of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, courtesy of Ft. Richardon Public Affairs.)

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will continue to follow the developing story behind the capture of Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl.

AMVETS faxed and mailed its letter to the chairman of Fox News, demanding an apology for the network's off-color remarks regarding the young soldier and the circumstances of his capture by the Taliban.

We will also continue to follow VA's implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which is set to roll out on Monday, August 3. AMVETS anticipates a smooth roll-out of the new benefits on the part of the VA, but it remains to be seen whether or not colleges and universities are adequately prepared.

We will also follow the final hearings on Capitol Hill in the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs prior to the August recess.

AMVETS has also been following the current health care reform bill, as it moves through Congress. AMVETS raised some questions on potential "unforeseen consequences" of the current bill. American Veteran Online will continue to follow the story and keep you up to date on the responses AMVETS receives from each of the committees involved.

As always, American Veteran is eager to hear what you have to say about the stories we cover. We're also eager to see content from the field, which we can post on the blog and in the print edition of American Veteran magazine.

Finally, if you choose to post comments to the blog, we encourage you to either log on with a Google account, or leave your name at the bottom of an anonymous quote. This way, we can publish your thoughts in the print edition of American Veteran.

UPDATE: Fox News unrepentant on Bergdahl comments

Last night, Fox News analyst Ralph Peters had the opportunity to back down from his heinous accusations against Taliban POW and Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl on Fox's O'Reilly Factor.

Unfortunately, Peters chose to reiterate his conjecture on the situation surrounding Bergdahl's capture. The video is available on YouTube.

Peters claims that the "Army knows" that Bergdahl deserted his post. However, the Army has refused to comment on the situation, citing operational security and concern for the Bergdahl family. In fact, in an effort to protect the identity of the missing soldier and his loved ones, the Pentagon deliberately withheld Bergdahl's name from the public for more than two weeks, until the Taliban released its illegal propaganda video of their prisoner.

What's worse about this second interview is that host Bill O'Reilly agrees with Peters' baseless assertions and suggests that the media is being too easy on Bergdahl. O'Reilly suggests that Bergdahl must be "crazy" for abandoning his post, expounding on his guest's speculation, and suggests that Bergdahl does not deserve our legitimate concern.

The hateful rhetoric spewed by Peters and O'Reilly has absolutely no place in this discussion and certainly cannot be construed as news. As Peters admits in his interview, he is not a combat veteran and he never commanded in combat during his 22 years in the military. O'Reilly has never served. How could either of these men know about being held as a prisoner of war? As a combat veteran of the war in Iraq, I'm personally insulted by their comments.

In my line of work, I've had the unique opportunity to speak with some of our nation's brave former POWs. Every time, I hear that there is only so much a prisoner can do to resist. Our enemies are brutal. As we saw in the Bergdahl video, this young soldier fears for his life. He was forced into making his statements about the U.S. presence in Afghanistan because American withdrawal is what the Taliban is demanding in exchange for Bergdahl's life. How dare anyone criticize a young man trapped in a situation that so few of us could legitimately empathize with.

I remember my own limited Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) training during Army AIT and prior to my deployment to Iraq. While it is true that it is our duty, as soldiers, to resist and escape, even the U.S. military acknowledges that everyone has a breaking point. Did Peters miss this block of instruction in his 22 years of service?

Bergdahl is a prisoner of war. Our nation needs to rally behind the young soldier, his unit in Afghanistan, and his loved ones in Idaho. We must continue to demand his safe return. Fox News should be ashamed for giving Peters and O'Reilly this kind of forum to propagate their unfounded and morally reprehensible messages.

For all we know, Bergdahl was taken against his will by the Afghan soldiers he was purported to have left the base with, and subsequently sold to Taliban warlords, as initially reported. During my time in Iraq, I know that many of our local "allies" liked to play both sides of the ball. Reporting that he is a deserter or a traitor is utterly tasteless--especially when you know that his parents and his girlfriend are probably watching.

AMVETS has drafted a letter of its own to Fox News executives demanding an apology for the network's continued skewed commentary on this issue, which will be available on the official AMVETS Web site later today.

Pfc. Bergdahl and his family remain in our thoughts and prayers today, and I leave you with this: Let's stop speculating on circumstances we know nothing about, and just remember that a young man from Idaho raised his right hand and swore to defend our nation in a time of war. He deserves our respect and he deserves to come home safe.

-Ryan

(Photo: Official U.S. Army photo of Pfc. Bergdahl, courtesy of Fort Richardon Public Affairs.)

BREAKING: Veterans in Congress scold Fox News for pundit's comments on Pfc. Bergdahl

Tonight, American Veteran received a copy of a letter sent by a bipartisan consortium of congressmen who served in the military demanding an apology from Fox News for airing comments by a military analyst criticizing Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, who has been held hostage by the Taliban for nearly three weeks.

The analyst, retired Army Lt. Col. Ralph Peters, speculated that Bergdahl deserted his unit and that the Taliban could "save us a lot of legal hassles and legal bills" by simply killing their American hostage. Peters' comments are available on YouTube.

Peters' comments did not end here, though. He went on to say that Bergdahl's comments in the video posted by the Taliban were unprofessional and possibly treasonous. However, Bergdahl's comments were consistent with a hostage under duress, coerced into making certain statements, as AMVETS National Commander John C. Hapner noted in yesterday's reaction to the video.

The letter, drafted by Congressmen John Boccieri (D-Ohio), Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), and Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) and undersigned by 20 additional members, calls on Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes to apologize to the family of Bergdahl for his ridiculous comments. AMVETS will draft a letter of its own in the morning. However, AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley called the segment "sickening" earlier tonight, noting that Bergdahl is an American soldier and a prisoner of war who should be in our thoughts and prayers.

American Veteran has been covering the Bergdahl story since the soldier disappeared from his forward operating base in Afghanistan on July 2.

Check back with American Veteran Online tomorrow morning to read a copy of the letter and to see AMVETS' response to the horrific allegations.

(Image: Page one of the official letter from Reps. Boccieri, Hunter, Murphy and 20 other veterans serving in Congress to Fox News CEO Roger Ailes. Image courtesy of the Office of Congressman John Boccieri.)

UPDATE: Taliban release video of captured U.S. soldier

Over the weekend, the Taliban released a 28-minute video of the U.S. soldier captured in Afghanistan earlier this month. In the interest of good taste, American Veteran refuses to share the Taliban video on this blog.

The video has been condemned by the Pentagon as a violation of international law. AMVETS leaders have also condemned the video, which contains a statement by the captured soldier opposing the continued U.S. presence in Afghanistan--a statement AMVETS believes was clearly made under duress.

Since disappearing from his forward operating base in Afghanistan, the Pentagon has made a concerted effort to protect the identity of the soldier and his family stateside. However, the release of the video prompted the Department of Defense to acknowledge that the soldier is 23-year-old Idaho native Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, who was serving with the Alaska-based 1st of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. According to a Pentagon press release, Bergdahl's duty status was officially changed to missing-captured.

This morning, the Associated Press and Military Times reported that Bergdahl's home town was well aware of his capture, but citizens were respecting the family's wishes for privacy in the matter.

Reports conflict over how Bergdahl ended up in Taliban custody. At first, the U.S. believed he walked off of his base in Afghanistan with three Afghan soldiers, apparently leaving his weapon behind. Initial reports from the Taliban suggested that he was stumbling around drunk when they found him. In the video, Bergdahl claims he was lagging behind a patrol.

In the video, Bergdahl appeared to be in good health, though he seemed frightened over the prospect that he may not make it home and his statements sounded coerced. His head was clean-shaven and he appeared to be growing a beard--two traits consistent with the appearance of many Islamist militants.

AMVETS National Commander John C. Hapner reiterated his call on the Departments of Defense and State to do everything in their power to safely return Bergdahl to his unit and his loved ones. Hapner also called on the Afghan government to hold Bergdahl's captors accountable for their actions.

In his open letter, Hapner said that the Taliban video was a clear violation of international law, and chided Bergdahl's Taliban captors for their violations. Hapner's letter will be posted to the official AMVETS Web site shortly.

As this story develops, check back with American Veteran Online for updates.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will continue to follow news out of Afghanistan of the captured American soldier being held by the Taliban. Over the weekend, a video of the soldier was released. We will post more details shortly.

We will also follow this week's hearings on Capitol Hill, including the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' follow-up hearing on the Philadelphia VA brachytherapy issue.

Late last week, it came to the attention of AMVETS' leaders that the current health care reform bill may have unintended consequences for the veterans' community in its current form. AMVETS has drafted a letter to key legislators voicing these concerns. American Veteran Online will keep you up to date on the health care reform bill and its potential impacts on the military and veterans' communities.

As always, we are eager to see content from around the country for "Keeping Posted," and if you have any other ideas or thoughts that you would like to share with our editorial staff, please let us know.

UPDATE: Taliban leaders threaten to kill captured U.S. soldier

This afternoon, the Associated Press reported that the Taliban has threatened to kill a U.S. soldier in their custody, should the U.S. fail to cease operations in two volatile regions of Afghanistan. American Veteran first commented on the soldier's disappearance on July 2.

To view the original story, Click Here.

The soldier, who apparently walked off his unit's forward operating base unarmed, has not been identified by the Pentagon. A Taliban spokesman claims the soldier was drunk when he was captured and that he remains in good health, barring the American response.

AMVETS leaders continue to call on the Department of Defense to do everything in its power to ensure the soldier's safe return, hunt down his captors, and hold them accountable for their actions.

American Veteran Online will continue to track this story.

BREAKING: U.S. Soldier Captured in Afghanistan

This morning, the U.S. military publicly acknowledged that a U.S. Army soldier went missing on Tuesday night in Afghanistan.

This afternoon, CNN reported that the soldier had been captured by "low-level militants" along with three Afghan soldiers. The American was subsequently sold to an anti-American war lord Siraj Haqqani and the Taliban claims he is being held in a "safe location."

Though the Pentagon confirms that the soldier's family has been notified, the soldier's name remains unavailable to the public.

Nevertheless, the thoughts and prayers of AMVETS' leaders go out to the missing soldier and his loved ones as they cope with this ordeal.

Today, there remains one additional soldier listed as missing, Army Sgt. Ahmed Altaie, an Iraqi expatriate who disappeared while visiting with family in Iraq. As always, AMVETS calls on the Pentagon and the Department of State to do everything within their power to bring all of our missing soldiers home safely.

Check back with American Veteran Online for updates as this story develops.

UPDATE: Army identifies remains of Staff Sgt. Vile

Late yesterday, The Department of Defense identified the remains of Army Staff Sgt. William Vile of Philadelphia who was previously listed as "whereabouts unknown" following a firefight in the Konar Province of Afghanistan. Our condolences go out to Vile's family in Pennsylvania and his colleagues in the 1st Infantry Division.

DoD officially updated Vile's status in a release after the Armed Forces Medical Examiner positively identified his remains.

One soldier remains missing in action in the Global War on Terrorism, Army Sgt. Ahmed Altaie. AMVETS continues to call on DoD to do everything in its power to ensure the return of all our service members listed as POW/MIA.

Philadelphia Soldier Listed As "Whereabouts Unknown" in Afghanistan

Yesterday, The Department of Defense issued an official release regarding an attack on U.S. forces in the Konar Province of Afghanistan where two U.S. soldiers were killed and another is now listed as "whereabouts unknown."

The two soldiers killed in the attack were Sgt. James Pirtle of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Spc. Ryan King of Dallas, Ga. Both were assigned to Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Hood.

Following the attack, Staff Sgt. William Vile of Philadelphia, Pa., assigned to 1st BCT, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas, was listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN).

The thoughts and prayers of AMVETS and the editorial staff of American Veteran go out to the families of Pirtle, King, and Vile, and we implore DoD to do everything in its power to ensure the safe return of Vile to his unit.

We will keep tabs on this story as it develops. As of today, two U.S. troops are listed as missing or "whereabouts unknown." AMVETS calls for action on the part of our nation's military to ensure the safe and timely return of Staff Sgt. Vile and Army Spc. Ahmed Altaie.