David Dewhurst: Suspicion of Our Own Troops Must Stop

The following article was written by David Dewhurst and originally published on Dallas Morning News.

Texans respect and appreciate the brave men and women of our U.S. military forces who put their lives on the line every day, all around the world, to protect our freedoms. That’s why nearly 1.7 million veterans, including myself, live in Texas and another 225,000 military and Department of Defense personnel are stationed here. To maximize their effectiveness and protect their lives, our military must train continually. Texas, with our network of bases, has long been a preferred site for that training.

Earlier this week, I visited Fort Bragg in North Carolina to experience some of the U.S. Army Special Forces’ training, and meet Special Forces officers and enlisted men who deploy to over 50 countries each year to train local forces.

Overseas, most Special Forces missions are organized in 12- to 20-man teams, often led by a captain, senior warrant officer and a senior sergeant. Such teams have been the key to the Special Forces’ legendary success, from Vietnam to Laos, Somalia, Desert Shield and Desert Storm to the modern-day conflicts in the Middle East and the Ukraine.

On Wednesday night, the music was loud and the bar near Fort Bragg was crowded with Special Forces enlisted team members, including three who had just returned days earlier from an Afghanistan deployment. A small group of us from Texas had gathered with them at a reception to raise money for a charitable trust that helps families while their spouses are deployed overseas. At one point, the blaring music stopped, a silence fell on the room and Sgt. Barry Sadler’s “The Ballad of the Green Berets” blared out. The Special Forces personnel snapped to attention and, without even realizing it, I also stood at attention as I had so many times as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

As I listened to that familiar song, I grew sad as my eyes wandered over the wall covered with pictures of Special Forces officers and enlisted men who had been killed in the line of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. There were a LOT of pictures. I’m glad to say we helped raise a lot of money for some families who make big sacrifices for ALL of us.

To improve their survivability in hostile lands, Special Forces hold 10 annual training exercises across North Carolina. I haven’t met any North Carolinians who don’t love the Green Berets. They are also enthusiastically supported by the state, local and county police departments who work with them to facilitate their training.

To prepare his troops even better, Major Gen. Darsie Rogers, 1st Special Forces Command, continually seeks new, unfamiliar and challenging environments as training grounds for his new and veteran soldiers. I told him that Texans were looking forward to supporting them as they utilize our state as one of this year’s training sites. It appears I may have spoken too soon, as some Texans have inexplicably gone on the offensive against this effort to train our troops.

As I reflect on the several hundred officers and enlisted men I personally met this week, I can enthusiastically say each and every one is an American patriot who serves our country with distinction. They love their country and they’re willing to die to defend your liberties. Unfortunately, some Texans have projected their legitimate concerns about the competence and trustworthiness of President Barack Obama onto these noble warriors.

This must stop. As a veteran of the Vietnam era, I remember too well a climate where troops who had bravely served were met with insults and derision when they came home. It has taken our country decades to change that, and a small but vocal contingent of Texans who would call themselves patriotic are on the verge of ushering that mindset back into vogue. I am furious at the thought, and every right-minded Texan should be as well.Instead of viewing our hard-working troops with suspicion or greeting them with insults, let’s increase our prayers for them and their families as we send a message of welcome and encouragement. Let’s stand together and open our arms in grateful support for U.S. Special Forces and the other units who will participate in their training. When they arrive, they should be greeted by a freshly-swept welcome mat, not suspicion and angry protest. Our nation’s finest deserve our best, and they’ll get it from this Texan.

David Dewhurst served as the 41st lieutenant governor of Texas. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the Central Intelligence Agency.

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