CHARLOTTE, NC – In ordinary times, one might conclude that the surprise visit to Kabul by two veterans who are now members of Congress, Seth Moulton and Peter Meijer, would be inappropriate. But these are anything but normal times. American leaders are on the verge of making one of the most consequential decisions of our lifetimes: whether we will honor our pledges to protect tens of thousands of Afghan allies who have put their lives on the line for our country or whether we will betray our allies and dishonor ourselves by leaving them stranded to the Taliban.
The choice is clear to many veterans who have been pushing the U.S. government for months to prepare an orderly, protective plan for our Afghan allies. As veterans, we were pleased when several senior leaders assured us that our Afghan allies would have safe refuge. But it is now increasingly obvious that not all Afghan allies will have safe refuge.
It is in that spirit and with growing frustration that veterans like Moulton and Meijer have been investigating conditions on the ground in Kabul and participating in efforts led by members of Congress to provide oversight of our military efforts. To go there on this surprise visit was indeed an act that violated norms. But given the extraordinary moment in which we find ourselves, it was also a trip that required courage as well as dedication. They deserve more respect and less criticism.
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With Honor Action is a cross-partisan movement focused on supporting military veterans who want to work across the aisle and put principles before politics while serving again in Congress. With Honor Action’s advisory board includes post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star family members — Chris Howard, Ryan Manion, and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg — as well as prominent American leaders such as Secretary Robert Gates, Senator Tom Daschle, Admiral Michael Mullen, Gen. Nadja West, and David Gergen.
With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund.