Over these past weeks the country has been gripped by reports of Russian bounties being placed on the lives of American soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Coverage from various outlets depicts a scheme by the highest levels of the Russian government to pay Taliban fighters significant sums to kill American service members. Stunningly, it seems likely that the Trump administration, and perhaps the President himself, were aware of the bounty program and did nothing.
As a group of former military personnel we are shocked that no action was taken by our government to respond to Russia’s reprehensible behavior, and we are gravely disappointed by our congressman, Scott Perry’s lack of leadership and misguided reaction as this troubling information became public.
The reach of this bounty program possibly extends to our very own community, as York’s own Sgt. Benjamin Hines’ death is being investigated in possible connection. It is heartbreaking and infuriating to see his parents, who have already had to endure the pain of losing their son, having to grapple with the possibility that Benjamin’s death may have been caused by a foreign power, and that our government was aware of this possibility and did nothing.
One would expect Congressman Perry, a former military officer himself, to be outraged, and raising an uproar in Washington demanding answers. Instead, Perry was silent for two day after the initial report, and is now more fixated on punishing the whistleblower, than getting answers on Sgt. Hines’ passing.
Either the Congressman is too afraid to ruffle feathers in Washington, or he’s been in D.C. for so long he can no longer identify real problems from the fodder used for political theater in the capitol.
Either way, Scott Perry has deeply let down active military, former service members, and most importantly, the families of our fallen heroes, with his behavior.
As former members of the armed forces, we put our lives on the line with the understanding that our elected leaders would take ensuring the safety of military personnel, as a sacred duty. Congressman Perry should be focused on the breach of that trust, instead he is more caught up in the games of Washington. The Congressman has lost touch with the values and concerns of real Americans. Our country, our district, and our brave servicemen and women deserve far better.
Joel Hicks, CDR (Ret.), USN, Councilman, Borough of Carlisle
Samantha Stout, SSG, ARNG, Heath Copeland, SPC, USA