Gabriel Ledeen, a former U.S. Marine Captain and two-tour veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom asked the following question at the Huffington Post last week: “Who supports the U.S. soldier?”
He was referring to an oft-debated and emotional issue that comes up whenever our nation is engaged in combat operations: Can Americans support our troops in combat while at the same time opposing the cause, the mission, the war?
In his article, Ledeen eloquently and passionately claims that opposition to a war can have very negative consequences to the soldier on the battlefield. That such opposition “actively interferes with his pursuit of his objectives and makes an already dangerous and difficult mission even more difficult and dangerous.” Furthermore, that from the soldier’s perspective, “there is a logical and inherent contradiction in claiming to ‘support’ the soldier while taking actions that undercut his efforts.”
I have often discussed my personal views on this issue and have received both support and condemnation.
I have once again broached this subject here in light of some very persuasive and heartfelt words, this time by a real hero, a distinguished Marine Corps General.
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.