Anyone who knows me, has read my columns, or heard my songs know the depth of veneration that I hold for our military people, past and present.  The revelation that burials have not been properly handled at Arlington National Cemetery is most disturbing.  Arlington is hallowed ground, and I feel secure in saying that most of my heroes rest in honor there.

 

The poor treatment of our soldier’s remains is a travesty and must be addressed.  Congressman Ike Skelton, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has announced that his committee will investigate the issue.  That’s fine.

 

However, why this particular issue?   Why has his committee not held hearings on the Fort Hood shooting in which a domestic Muslim terrorist murdered and terrorized Americans on one of our own bases?  Is this because of sensitivity to those who would behead us?  Could it be to protect President Obama politically?  Because this is an election year?  To protect Pentagon policies that  protect the enemy and endanger our soldiers?  If any of these shoes fit, Congressman Skelton and his cohorts are derelict in their duty.

 

Why has his committee failed to investigate the cases of the soldiers known as the “Leavenworth 10” who are locked away in prison for alleged actions in war zones?  Especially when in at least one case a prominent officer who was involved was allowed to plead the Fifth Amendment to protect himself?  Surely live young men who risked life, limb, and sanity deserve at least as much consideration as the mishandled burials of their brothers-in-arms.  The mother of one of the “Leavenworth 10” has told me that Congressman Skelton has refused to speak to her about it, saying that it is a “legal matter”.

 

 Since it is my understanding that these young men were brought home like caged animals, I agree, Congressman Skelton, it certainly is.  What about that important “oversight” function that you speak of so often? 

 

These young people leave home and go to hellish war zones where the enemy is not clearly defined, to stand in the gap for each of us.  Even when things go awry, with our nation’s principle of civilian control of the military, they deserve to have their cases investigated by their congressional representatives.

 

What do you say, Congressman? 

 LINK

Leavenworth 10

http://www.supportsgtleahy.com/theleavenworth10.htm