An Open Letter To President Obama From The Proud Men of 4th Force Reconnaissance Company

To The Offices of The President of The United States, The Secretary of Defense and The Commanding General of The Army,

We, as a nation, have been at war for a long time. There are young men and women, who just graduated high school, that aren’t able to remember a time before The War on Terror. Many joined the Armed Services as soon as we were able following 9/11. I, for one, signed up for the Marines when I was only 17 years old with my parents written permission.

We Veterans are tired. We were misled on the motives of these wars. We were lied to about the level of care and the support structure we’d have after our service was over, cast aside at VA hospitals and, at times, personally blamed by our fellow countrymen and women for the shortcomings of these ongoing conflicts.

All of these “missteps” by our government, the one we swore to protect and uphold, and barely a peep has been raised by we veterans. It’s because we’ve learned to make do with less. We’ve learned to sacrifice and put our nation, her needs and her citizens, above ourselves and our families. Selflessness. Something this country could stand a bit more of. All this we’ve given for our country and at many a time we’ve been walled off and marginalized. All the while we’re constantly demanded to go further and further into this quagmire that is the War on Terror. Just this week we’ve been called on again to go and make do with what we have and reenter Iraq.

These are all the feelings that came bubbling to the surface when I first read the story of Staff Sargent Earl Plumblee. My former team leader. His base was attacked in 2013. His actions saved the lives of many Americans, all the while showing a total lack of regard for his own life. He was injured during the fight and yet he still drove on and pushed the enemy back. He even provided first aid to some of the wounded before sending them to a casualty collection point. Here we have a clear-cut example of a true hero. At a time when our nation is questioning most; “who are our heroes?”

This man showed extreme bravery in the face of the enemy, yet he was denied our nation’s highest honor, The Medal of Honor. Why? Because he was at one time investigated for a potential crime and no charges were filed? This award isn’t earned by proving to be the perfect poster child. It isn’t earned based on what a person has done off the battlefield. This award is to recognize extreme bravery and selflessness in combat. It’s awarded to those that risk death or severe bodily harm to save their fellow service members.

Do we really live in a time where presidents can openly admit to using illegal drugs but a true blue hero can’t be investigated and found of no wrong doing without being punished?

Never have I met a man who was more dedicated to the service of his country. Never have I worked for anyone that was more demanding of the men he lead. His wasn’t a false leadership like those that fill our bureaucracies. Every ounce of sweat and blood he demanded of us, he squeezed 10 times more from himself. To deny this man our top honor isn’t just a disservice to him; it’s a slap in the face to every veteran. It’s an insult to every one of us that has put his or her life on the line in the service of our country.

So, by all means continue to disrespect us. Continue to hold us to higher standards than you hold yourselves. Continue to debate how much money you’re going to cut from our much-needed and deserved benefits; so you can give yourselves another pay raise. One by one we’ll stop fighting for our government. We will continue to fight; make no mistake about that. Not for the politicians that use us as props for reelection. Not for the nation that’s unable to look a disabled Veteran in the eye. But for our brothers and sisters still in harm’s way. For the Earl Plumlee’s that will put their own life in repeated danger to save the lives of those men and women at their sides.

Sincerely,

The Proud Men of 4^th Force Reconnaissance Company