Never Forget! Bring them ALL home…
Just got this from Bob Jones of Meredith. First the news, then a letter from Bob…
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers, and one soldier as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN). The action occurred May 1 near the village of Nishagam, in Konar Province, Afghanistan, where all three were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Killed were:
Sgt. James D. Pirtle, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colo. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; and
Spec. Ryan C. King, 22, of Dallas, Ga. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
These soldiers died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using direct fire.
Staff Sgt. William D. Vile, 27, of Philadelphia, Pa. is now listed as DUSTWUN from this same incident. He is assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
Bob writes:
Morning,
The news item I’ve included with this note is the reason the terminology has to be changed. Do you see the term “MIA” any place in this DOD write up ? How can we say we care about those serving our country and at the same time HIDE the fact that one is “Missing In Action”? MIA is a designation ALL Americans understand. DUSTWUN is a designation that HIDES a fact. Do we NOT owe these soldiers every bit of protection we can offer?
The DOD has NRVER been wrong before? The lawyers at DOD care about this issue as much as the American Public would?
The MOPH (Military Order Of Purple Heart) “SHOULD” be the organization that brings this to light because WE are an Organization of Faith, Trust and Truth!!
The NH Chapter asks that our National leaders step up and make this issue of TRUST a priority TODAY. Time is has always been a factor and we have wasted enough . The Geneva Conventions refer to POWs and MIAs and NOT “Missing- Captured DUSTWUN”. Accept the responsibility and show the courage or continue to be part of the problem…it’s time.
Bob JonesChapter 395, NHPOW/MIA RepresentativeLegislative Officer