Those poor, gullible, anti-war advocates should be feeling
shamefaced at the news that a man they believed was an Iraq war
veteran who admitted to atrocities there has been proven to be a
fake. I'm not holding my breath waiting for any apology posted on
their Web sites because those so eager to believe the worst about
our military have no shame. Fortunately, real heroes will be
available to acknowledge this Friday, May 25, 7 p.m. at the
College of Staten Island when our local heroes at the NYPD
Baseball Club face the U.S. Military All Stars in a fund-raiser
for a great program benefiting our military fighting abroad.
Police Officer Jose Vazquez, president of the NYPD Baseball Club,
says, "The U.S. Military All Stars, based in San Diego, is
the fastest growing, most successful and first joint military
baseball program since the Vietnam War. Many of the players have
recently returned from deployment in direct support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terrorism. They represent
some of the most talented athletes in the service and have been
selected among thousands of personnel worldwide to represent the
Armed Forces."
Of course, the American public hears little about anything
positive about our military since the war in Iraq began.
Politicians like Rep. John Murtha have likened some in our
all-volunteer military to those who participated in the My Lai
massacre in Vietnam. So when Jesse Adam Macbeth, 23, turned up
claiming in 2005 to have been awarded a Purple Heart for his
service, which he said included slaughtering innocents in a
Fallujah mosque, his atrocity story was eagerly disseminated on
the Internet. Iraq Veterans Against the War was one such group
only too eager to have a soldier confirm their own agenda. No one
bothered to check Mr. Macbeth's actual military record which
shows he was discharged after six weeks training, kicked out in
2003 because of his "entry level performance and
conduct."
Instead, anti-war groups posted videos or statements containing
Mr. Macbeth's claims on their sites. Mr. Macbeth is shown wearing
a camouflage jacket, describing his experience in Iraq: "We
would burn their bodies ... hang their bodies from the rafters in
the mosque," he said.
Mr. Macbeth's lies were exposed last year and his video was
removed from most sites, however, his claims are still being
broadcast on some anti-war blogs. He is just now being charged
with one count of using or possessing a forged or altered
military discharge certificate, and one count of making false
statements in seeking benefits from the Veterans Administration.
A spokeswoman for Iraq Veterans Against the War, Amadee Braxton,
told AP reporters, "He approached us in early 2006, posing
as a war veteran. He seemed very emotionally distressed about his
experiences."
Mr. Macbeth's fake testimony received much more mainstream press
than the photo of Air Force Master Sgt. John Gebhardt. He was
stationed at the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group in Balad, Iraq
and was photographed last October sleeping in a chair holding an
Iraqi child whose entire family was executed by insurgents who
also shot her in the head. The child survived but can only be
comforted by Sergeant Gebhardt who rocks her nightly to sleep.
Other snaps I receive from Iraq show similar compassion by our
soldiers and the warmth they receive from grateful Iraqis.
What the Democrats are doing to their morale by calling for their
retreat before victory is unacceptable, and I'm hoping New
Yorkers will show their true respect by supporting this
fund-raiser. The game is being held during Fleet Week, which will
take on a special meaning with the military visiting our great
city.
Proceeds will support the Staten Island Project Homefront. It is
a non-profit all volunteer organization focusing on fund-raising
and supporting deployed military now serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The goal is to support all military personnel
regardless of military affiliation while they are deployed to
combat areas. Tickets are $5, and can also be purchased at the
gate. The organization's Web site is www.siprojecthomefront.org.
The U.S. Military All Stars appear at these events to increase
the awareness of Americans in regard to the honorable sacrifices
our Armed Forces make each and every day. There are no words to
describe the pride and relief I feel to know that our country can
still produce soldiers like Sergeant Gebhardt and so many others
like him. Whenever I can, I plan to show this side, that of the
true warriors willing to fight and put their lives on the line
for our freedom and others. God bless America.