'It's America': Pentagon bigwigs say they 'understand' rage after Afghanistan in the midst of resignation and rage over dead troops' parents
The Pentagon leadership called for anger among some active U.S. troops, the families and veterans of the fallen over how the war in Afghanistan ended, and respected and promised support, while claiming that they, too, were in pain.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley spoke to Pentagon reporters on Wednesday, reiterating the official line that the Kabul air was a success and that the Afghan war was officially over.
“I will always be proud of the role we played in this war," said Austin, who commanded troops in Afghanistan and Iraq before retiring in 2016 and joining the board of missile manufacturer Raytheon. “But we should not expect Afghan war veterans to agree more than any other group of Americans. I have heard strong views from many sides in recent days. It is important. It’s democracy. It’s America. ”
.@SecDef“I will always be proud of the role we played in this war. But we should not expect Afghan war veterans to agree more than any other group of Americans. I have heard strong views from many sides in recent days. It is crucial. It’s democracy. It’s America. " pic.twitter.com/dvABLw0NI7
- CSPAN (@cspan) September 1, 2021
Austin responded to a reporter who asked about his own feelings “People will treat this differently," and urged anyone in need of mental health counseling to seek help. “We need to respect each other’s views and support each other."
Milley said her own “Pain and anger come from the same as the grieving families” and wounded soldiers when he lost 242 soldiers under his command, “Went on patrols, was blown up, shot at, RPGs and everything else."
War is hard. It’s vicious. It’s brutal. It’s unforgivable. Yes, we all have pain and anger. When we see what has unfolded over the last 20 years and over the last 20 days, it creates pain and anger.
“But I am a professional soldier. I will contain my pain and anger and continue to carry out my mission, ” he added.
General Milley: “War is fierce. It’s evil. It’s brutal. It’s unforgivable. Yes, we all have pain and anger. When we look at what’s been going on over the last 20 years and over the years. last 20 days, it creates pain and anger. " pic.twitter.com/UwysXvY8e
- CSPAN (@cspan) September 1, 2021
Milley has faced criticism this summer after telling Congress he supported the teaching of Critical Race Theory in the military in an attempt to understand ‘white rage’, which he said drives 6th riots at the US Citol.
Questions of pain and anger came as a number of Afghan war veterans expressed their frustration over the way the Pentagon handled the U.S. exit from Kabul, including the loss of 13 troops - 11 Marines, a sailor and a soldier - in a suicide bombing last week. Several of their family members also raged against President Joe Biden and felt respected by him at the ceremony to greet their coffins over the weekend.
However, it was not just families or veterans who vented their frustration. USMC Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Scheller, who was released from his command to publicly claim responsibility for the failed withdrawal, announced on Tuesday that he intends to resign his commission before 9/11.
Scheller also said that the American people sought accountability and leadership and “WILL take it," adds it “Every generation needs a revolution."
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